Stihl MS180c Chainsaw Pull Cord Repair With "Easy2Start" Feature

Pull Cord Repair On Stihl MS180c With "Easy2Start" Feature
In this video I show you how to replace the pull cord on a Stihl MS180C with the "easy2start" feature.
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I used a #3.5 sized rope and a 30" long.
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#donyboy73 #ms170 #ms180

[@dougjacobson6232]

Very clear video,and i like that you speak slow ,clearly a pleasure to watch and learn

[@obrienqwerty]

This guy almost makes me believe I can do these things myself. Incredible. I hope he makes a little something to reward him for his excellent tutorials.

[@rodneychapman197]

Sir. I just wanted to tell you that I have watched several of your videos and I must say, you have perfected your craft in the “tutorial/how to” department! Hats off to you sir! I’m a Stihl guru. I have 7 Stihl chainsaws and roughly 6 other pieces of Stihl equipment. Even though Stihl equipment is tough as nails it needs more than just maintenance and TLC sometimes. Every now and again something on a piece of equipment breaks or wears out and to me, the victory of fixing it yourself is much more sweeter than taking it somewhere to have it repaired. In todays world it also saves you a lot of cash. Anyway. I didn’t mean for my comment to become a novel, but I wanted you to know how much I enjoy watching and learning from your informative and awesome videos! Keep up the good work sir! Thank you again!

[@wurzelle1999]

This is one of the easiest to understand videos on KZbin. Excellent!

[@josephburkhalter5105]

The comment on how hard to pull the starter cord on the easy2start. I am 83 with 4 torn rotator cuffs. 3 with operations and 1 inoperable. A relocating neighbor sold me a a small Stihl that had been hardly used. I could not start that saw. A trip to my Husky mechanic resulted in his being able to start the saw after about a hundred pulls and 30 minutes effort. He was about 50 years old, 6’ 2” #250 lbs. Got the thing home and could not start it. Took it to my Stihl dealer and they suggested an Easy2start. The saw came in and I was instructed to gently pull the co twice. The engine rotated but did not start? Repeated the effort. Same result. No start. The instructions told me to take off the choke as soon as the engine coughed. Two more pulls,the engine coughed. Choke off, two pulls, amazing,, .....the engine started. Note that I never jerked the cord. I gently pulled up all the way twice, That wound up the starter spring. It releases automatically. The engine starts. It has never failed. 4 or 6 pulls to make it cough, the nest 2 pulls to wind up the spring and “EURECA”..it starts. No pain to the old rotator cuffs. A pleasure to cut with. A VERY, VERY GREAT PLEASURE “ to demo the easy starting to friends. They cannot believe it. Absolutely happy with this saw. It is a 250 model. Now about 5 years old. Newer used any fuel except 89 octane without alcohol with stabilizer. From my marina. Happy as a clam. Good Luck yanking on the cord. rd JoeB

[@Saymyenameyo]

That’s how all stihls start

[@jamesgally707]

This video was very thorough and provided good tips. I have never had to respool a stihl chainsaw in my life until this past week and you did a great breaking it down. Thank you.

[@jerryfahner3839]

Wow, glad I found this. This is the most fully-explained process without all the hype and wasted words and time of most KZbin videos. Nice Job!!!

[@AnthonyJones-uo8nd]

I just happened to find your channel. It was the very first one that popped up on the 180 C I followed your instructions exactly saw starts and runs well thank you, my friend. I’ll keep you in my subscriptions.

[@jmccracken491]

Donny has a very nice even voice and I like that in youtubers. He also knows what he is talking about. Pleasure to watch and easy to learn from.

[@joeschaaf9277]

Wonderful, simple clear directions with an understandable process. Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

[@BigDogBDM]

Don - Thanks for this video. I was able to replace the pull cord on my MS180C which saved me paying for the repair, just as importantly saved the time my saw would have been in the shop. I managed to get the recoil spring unwound and ended up using another of your videos to figure out how to get it back! You're very good at generating clear, simple directions! Thanks again.

[@donyboy73]

Glad it helped

[@mattg1093]

Just got done adding a 16" 50 gauge bar and chain on my ms180. Your videos are some of the most helpful on KZbin! Keep it up!

[@donyboy73]

+Matt G thanks Matt

[@curtkopacek6859]

Thanks for the help! Fixed my saw in 20 minutes instead of waiting a week for it to go through a shop, and saved probably $100 as well.

[@donyboy73]

Excellent!

[@ramchillarege1658]

Excellent instruction. Especially around the topics where a little slip can cause a lot of headache. I am now going to get to my saw. Thank you.

[@mr.jsendy2826]

Simply excellent. Very easy to follow, clear instructions.

[@marcelinochalan3550]

Thank you sir .. the 180c is my first chainsaw and first time ever working on a chainsaw. I understood and followed your instructions which successfully replaced my damaged pull cord. I subscribed, liked your video and looking forward to learning from the videos you provide. Thank you once again

[@Torrd115]

Great step by step video. So well explained. Thank you very much!

[@no.6123]

Thank you for a calm and therapeutic video which helped me change the starter cord on my MS180C. One note; here in metric land, I read #3.5 rope as 3.5mm diameter. This is too big (although online comparisons seem to show them as being the same diameter!?) ...2.5mm rope is what is needed.

[@Elmo_Fuddleputt]

Thank you for posting this up. It completely took the mystery out of the operation.

[@stroys7061]

By far the best tutorial that I could find. The camera work is outstanding. You show every step clearly. The closeup views and camera angles are excellent! Thanks

[@gmceo100]

Followed these instructions today. My saw now works great. Thanks! Timeless advice :)

[@DCdiamonds]

Thanks for this video. Pull cord installation went exactly as you demonstrated.

[@BrucesShop]

I have an Easy Start leaf blower. Thanks for the lesson. Bruce

[@davidsteber7601]

Thanks. The pull cord on my 180-C broke last time I used it. Your video helped me see what I was in for dealing with the easy start thing. Yes, my saw is running again! Now my 362 can relax until something big comes up.

[@shrefflerd]

BTW, I loved the video. It was direct, accurate and wasted no time.

[@tedbolerjack6068]

Super helpful! Super easy instructions, great visual. I’m so lucky this was the first such video I came across. Watched a couple others afterwards, and nowhere as detailed as this. Thank you!!!

[@dougklimek2515]

I have this exact saw. Followed step by step instructions and it worked!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@loganblunk6393]

Dude thankyou so much for this tutorial! I had just started cutting palm trees and my rope snapped, you’re a life saver, really appreciate it!!!

[@kienl5155]

thank goodness for people like you on KZbin lol I don't know what I would have done if an easy video like this was not available thank you!!

[@markg9491]

Thanks, this helps a lot. The pull coed was $.39 at the local Stihl dealer. This may be the cheapest repair I’ve ever done!

[@dbayboyds409]

Such perfect timing Dony. My cord is frayed and now I can replace it myself! Thank you!!

[@stevefryer8933]

Hey Donnyboy this worked absolutely perfectly on my 180 C Easy2Start. Couldn't have done it without your careful, calm coaching. You sound as if you might be from Quebec, if so, merci from an Ontario friend!

[@underthesun4269]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video! It was a tremendous help to me!

[@ama409573]

Dony I always burn the ends of my rope too but I also burn the knots a bit too to heat set them. I've had knots pull out before without setting them. Good video, thanks!

[@alexanderperez1380]

Awesome video! Fixed my saw in less than 10 minutes. Very valuable information.

[@ericchilton3781]

thanks Donny this helped me out today putting the spring clip back on the pawls ....thanks again from southwestern Kentucky......

[@bobart1790]

Thanks for sharing, repaired my cord break in about 30 minutes.

[@jamiejay7886]

Yeah I followed this all good until putting back in!!! Good luck to ya!! Took my into service

[@5js78]

I followed these instructions step by step. It was a really big help. However, my recoil spring got messed up when the pull cord broke. The inside end of it snapped around the shaft, creating a small second coil. When I tried to put it back around the shaft, the whole thing burst out of the assembly. THAT was a pain to get back in place. Anyone attempting this repair, please be very careful with that recoil spring!!

[@al2eken]

Mine, too! Aaargh!

[@jedsommer3803]

Nice job you show everything your doing and explain it good. Not every KZbin mechanic video does not and it drives me crazy! Thank you!

[@dougshelly8587]

I couldn't have done it without this video. Thank you!!!

[@tonylamorte7247]

Excellent video, I have a 181 which is slightly different but there was more thhan enough information here I got through the process without a problem, BRAVO!!!

[@skeeter50001]

Nice video, Dony. This will be most helpful to lots of Stihl owners. Tks.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks for sharing this. I have mixed feelings about the Easy2Start system. It may make it easier for people with low to medium arm strength; but for someone with a lot of strength and who is accustomed to non-spring-loaded recoils - it makes it seem like something is "wrong" with the saw.

[@mattg1093]

Good tip for the big washer put a touch of lithium grease on it and it holds in place.

[@rogeliopadilla1432]

Thanks for the video. Today working at the same troubleshooting. 🙋‍♂️

[@dbayboyds409]

Fantastic video thank you! I did this today with your video as a guide. I would love some tips on dealing with the recoil springs. Mine popped out and was an extreme pain to get back in.

[@BillyVaughn]

All the videos I've seen skip that point and I bet it pops out on almost all of them.

[@awesomesauce3938]

Another high quality repair video

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

I just bought a MS 180 C-BE today. Pretty excited about it. I also bought a MS 271 for the bigger stuff. Nice video. I will post some really cool slow motion videos of them.

[@Jason-McCoy]

Another great video Don. When I'm doing a restring of a recoil I sometimes will clamp vice grips on the new pull cord as I'm tying the knot so it doesn't slip back in and unwind the spring. Please pass on my best wishes to your wife. My thoughts are with you both during this trying time.. Bonsoir my friend. :)

[@donyboy73]

Mantras3333 thanks

[@larrykost4186]

Just replaced the pull cord on my MS180 Easystart....Hell Ya, best video ever!

[@gregallen9643]

Hey man, this video was great. 1 watch and I fixed my saw. Super great content. Many thanks!

[@bobbyseitz66]

Great tutorial! Spot on foro start to finish. Thank you!

[@johngarvin6842]

Thanks, you saved me. I got the pull cord fixed only because of your video.

[@Johnnysday]

Thanks Donnie you save me 50 or 60 bucks at the repair shop

[@Oldscudrunner]

Thanks for your how to video. It helped me out.

[@bearridge8288]

Donyboy, you helped me out again! Thank you!

[@funstuff7802]

Good video. Got my saw back up and running. But first I bought what I thought was a 3.5mm cord that was way too thick. Then I bought a 9/64in. cord which is equivalent to 3.5mm from my local Ace and it went through the hole fine. 3.5mm cord with that smooth, strong exterior might be critical.

[@Qingeaton]

Interesting that I had to do this job yesterday, without your video to help. My Stihl is set up a little differently than this one, even though it has the quick start feature, the mechanism is a little different. I also had to make my spring smaller at the center hook end or it wouldn't catch. Always an adventure.

[@levibaerg8011]

Thank you. Saved me $210

[@fenderbender7360]

Great video. Easy to follow on my repair of my saw.

[@Sqeaks4all]

Thank you, saved me 6-8 weeks and 50 bucks. 👊

[@claudiabruehlmann9875]

Awesome, thank you for this video just fixed my recoil spring and forgot in the past to load the spring by turning clockwise and not let go the rope lol Great video, happy wood cutting

[@anhlee6220]

Thank you! I did it exactly as you describe. Thank you for those helpful tidbits. I got in a jam and your video solved my hang up.

[@c.allanrunser5109]

You said the rope size is 3.5. That is what I purchased but it was too big. Further research informed me that the size is 3.0 for the ms180c. Glad it did not cost much.

[@donyboy73]

I use 3.5 it lasts much longer

[@neonc2c2]

I ran in same problem got two different 3.5 from two stihl dealer. Can not fit in hole. Going get a #3 today hope it fit in hole better.

[@joanoliveraibarra8304]

Muchas gracias, cambie el cordón de arranque tal como lo explicas y quedó perfecto. Muchas gracias.

[@mcmaster22]

Thanks Dony, you saved me another repair bill.

[@rosevan5485]

Great videos you make for all... thank-you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and your time it takes to make these great informative videos. Thank-You!

[@p911c32]

perfect repair video. thanks a lot.

[@99carnot]

Really helpful - thanks for posting! I was working on a Stihl hedge trimmer, and it had overhead valves. Never seen that before!

[@satyahitd]

yes dony boy does make an excellent video , i would like to see how a handle bar rubber grommet is replaced on the sthil 180

[@blueridgearchaeologyguild1407]

Thanks for the video. It made my task easier.

[@tadeuszmichaelwlodarczyk3120]

Thanks a lot Donny 😁✔️✔️. I'm from Melbourne AUSTRALIA 👍

[@WilliamJimenez01]

When doing this repair, the assembly that rotates around the shaft came apart on me, and I found that there is another spring inside that which has to be properly hooked on the wheel as well, otherwise the tabs/paws that fly out won't transfer the force. Easy to pull the wheel off and make sure it is sitting on the proper part of the spring

[@JRCinKY]

Yep. Sure is. Did the same thing

[@charlesdowns7306]

i think a step might have been missed. when putting the white part in, the upper spring loop has to engage in the slot otherwise it won't work at all. took it to stihl dealer and they didnt catch that either. I figured it out later, and had to bend the spring twice to stay in, but hopefully it won't come loose again

[@teamcarramrod1]

I just spent an hour figuring this out

[@JRCinKY]

Excellent tutorial

[@josephrobinson6534]

Searching was a snap. Very well conceived instructions and video. Liked and subscribed.

[@julianreid8179]

in the old minibike days we would use a steele ruler from a comb. square. worked on a briggs..

[@JRCinKY]

And I might add there are a couple updates to these saws. A little different setup but you should be good to go if you watch this

[@brianw564]

Thanks you, you explained it perfectly and it was easy to do.

[@who3965]

Exellent video all around. Great instructions

[@khersh]

nice demo on pull cord repair 101- thank you

[@MichaelMMcKenzie]

thank you for posting correct info, would you have info on rewinding the pull-cord spring.thanks mike m

[@edwardseaton4492]

Exactly what I was lookin for. Outstanding!!

[@robertfuglestad4105]

Thanks for your video. I just replaced my pull cord on an easy start 180c and it seems like it doesn’t have enough recoil to start it anymore. Did I make the cord too short?

[@Teleman76]

Excellent tutorial. Instant sub

[@redgreen5831]

What length pull cord for the ms180c should I get? Thanks for the great video btw!

[@davidlindsey1835]

Doh, I too broke my pull cord on my easy2start Stihl MS 180CBE by pulling too hard. What kind of Liquid Wrench product did you spray on the spring steel in the recoil housing? I'm an old-timer, Liquid Wrench to me is penetrating oil. All of your videos are great.

[@duwayneaniu4360]

Thank you very much for you fully detail video .awesome did not have to take my new chainsaw to the shop to get repair

[@filurclownen]

Nice! Now I can repair my chainsaw... Thank´s!

[@zx8401ztv]

A very clean and neatly made mechanism don :-) Not allways easy to explain things like getting the end of the spring back in its anker hole, you have to feel for the effect and not be heavy handed :-)

[@yakbassin7196]

I'm back up and running. Thanks.

[@desfarrell5630]

Great video Dony, but the spring in the casing came out when I removed the spool😮….any tips for getting it back in, I had a few goes already but no success. Thanks

[@michaelspeakman8924]

I appreciate your knowledge

[@yirangjimbe7496]

Thank u sir for details information. I have stihl ms 382 , I put them in the jungle unused for 2 days with plastic covered up. Now the problem is I could not start it, I check the plug is good but still I'm not able to start it. Please advise.

[@douglasthompson2740]

I have noticed that modern line sold as recoil pull starter rope has a very thin outer braided jacket while the core is bundled straight filaments. Typical chinesium. They wear through the outer jacket and the inner core fuzzes up into a wad of filaments. My Stihl MS180C with EZ start (pretty hard to tell any difference at all, just seems a gimmick!) that I bought new several years ago has no time on it at all (muffler is like brand new and the spark plug hasn't burned the coating off the end, only the tip has some carbon on it from the test start in the shop at purchase) yet the pull rope has worn through with the few test pulls it has had. I was so disappointed in its high claims for the EZ start and the reality that I have never used it in the ten or twelve years I have owned it from new. I also bought some 'black' after market pull cord for an old Homelite and it did not last a couple of hours of cutting before it too wore through in the same way. I now use Venetian Blind cord which is a solid braided nylon with much better results. Don't use the Walmart "parachute" cord as it is the same cheap stuff with a bunch filament core and wears out almost immediately when used for anything.

[@squidboy0769]

Dony can you please detail what kind of rope is appropriate for recoils? I am looking for rope that has no stretch. Great vid as always, thank you.

[@joefriday950]

Another excellent video. Thanks

[@BillyVaughn]

There needs to be a video to show how you get that spring back in the bottom of the housing. Mine has never stayed in place when pulling the assembly out. It always pops out and is a pain in the rear to get back in.

[@shrefflerd]

Do you have a tip for putting the recoil spring back in the bottom of the assembly? I had just about completed the rope replacement when I discovered I had left out a washer. Going back in I somehow pulled loose the recoil spring. I really am having a hard time getting it put back in place. Any tips?