Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Stihl => Topic started by: pleasant on April 01, 2020, 11:12:50 am

Title: Stihl MS261 Sprocket/Chain covers?
Post by: pleasant on April 01, 2020, 11:12:50 am

Just got a pre-facelift MS261 (2011 vintage) and prefer the look of the side chain/sprocket cover of the facelifted version they started fitting from around 2015?? onwards- part number 1140 640 1704. Does anyone know if they are directly interchangeable...or if not directly, will it fit if I also fit later spec parts as well as just the cover to allow it to fit? Mine is pre CM, so the adjustable carb set-up, and the facelift covers seems to be fitted to mainly the later CM spec models. However I have seen on youtube some MS261 which must be the non CM models as there are carb adjuster holes in the top cover fitted with the later chain/sprocket covers? Need some help on this please.

Title: Re: Stihl MS261 Sprocket/Chain covers?
Post by: DNX800 on April 02, 2020, 04:38:22 am

According to Stihl, it is not possible to use the new cover parts for the previous version of the chainsaw. Not only the sprocket cover is different, also the cover for the chain brake parts was changed.

Title: Re: Stihl MS261 Sprocket/Chain covers?
Post by: pleasant on April 02, 2020, 05:28:16 pm

I am aware the inner plastic cover over the brake mechanism is different, but would the later cover fit if this were changed as well? it's not an expensive item. Unless they are saying the screw attachment points are all different? Is the main body from the earlier version to the later one different?

Title: Re: Stihl MS261 Sprocket/Chain covers?
Post by: DNX800 on April 03, 2020, 03:38:23 am

I don`t know exactly, I don`t have these parts here.

Title: Re: Stihl MS261 Sprocket/Chain covers?
Post by: pleasant on April 07, 2020, 09:15:01 am

I have now found out the later chain cover for the MS261 does not fit the earlier version. The Stihl technical update bulletin explains. As well as other differences.

Title: Re: Stihl MS261 Sprocket/Chain covers?
Post by: DNX800 on April 08, 2020, 03:46:00 am

That is what I already said in my first post of this thread.

Title: Re: Stihl MS261 Sprocket/Chain covers?
Post by: Eddie Southgate on May 05, 2020, 02:02:00 pm

I have a saw that is setup the other way around . It is a 2019 MS 261 C-M with the earlier smooth sided cover . Not sure how that came about as it was like that when I purchased it and was new enough that the muffler had not started to turn from being run .

Title: Re: Stihl MS261 Sprocket/Chain covers?
Post by: Stihl99 on April 22, 2021, 10:35:47 pm

I hate the new clutch and chain brake cover Stihl has out, I am looking for the parts to remove them.
Anyone have success in converting the new 261 back to the older version with these two parts?

Title: Re: Stihl MS261 Sprocket/Chain covers?
Post by: Cut4fun . on April 23, 2021, 06:51:23 am

I never seen anyone go back to old. But seen folks switch old to new. So must be possible?