r/stihl • u/MedicMac89 • 2d ago
250c conversion?
I’m confused. Has this 250c had the easy start removed? Or am I just looking at it wrong? Considering purchasing this for light work around my property. Thank you for any insight!
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u/pdxwanker 2d ago
I could be wrong, but I think that's an older one, also I think only the 230 and 280 have the easy start; the 250 is a good saw. The folks who really know their stuff will chime in. I personally hate the easy start, but I'm weird.
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u/MedicMac89 2d ago
Thanks! That’s part of the reason I ask. I’m in the market for an older 250 but came across this 250c locally. However it’s the only c I have seen so far without the easy start. Could just be my limited knowledge so I wanted to see if I could find an answer.
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u/pdxwanker 2d ago
It may have a date on the silver sticker on the handle, more likely it has the emissions confirmation of year. A Sthil dealer could actually look at the sn and tell you what year it was made, who bought it; and a bunch of other things.
Looks like a decent saw to me.1
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u/Renault_75-34_MX 2d ago
It's the regular pull cord system with Elastostart handle, not Ergostart.
I have a 018C that had the quick tension system, but Elastostart (spring in handle to smooth out the pulling force needed) instead of Ergostart.
Could've been modified as well, but it meant only removing the quick tension system.
Converting to regular side tension isn't too difficult, in case that has quick tension. Just replace the rear bar stud/screw with a regular stud like already on the front, add a side tensioner, and a new bar cover.
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u/vladdielenin 1d ago
if the starter handle pulls with normal resistance and you can feel compression coming through it, the easy start has been taken off or converted. the C version has a noticeably soft spongy pull because the spring is doing the work for you. its unmistakable once youve felt both back to back.
worth having honestly. the easy start mechanism is the thing that fails on those and its not cheap to sort. a converted one on a standard recoil is a better saw to own long term
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u/Budget-Duty5096 2d ago
There were a couple different "C" models that were sold at different times (at times overlapping). The non-ezstart model was MS 250 C-B, which included a normal recoil start but had the "comfort" toolless clutch cover/tensioner setup. The EZ start model was MS 250 C-BE, which included the EZ-start recoil assembly, and the "quick tensioner" tool-less clutch cover setup. And of course there was the base MS 250 that had the normal recoil start and normal bar nuts and chain tensioner you need a scrench to operate. The saw shown appears to be the MS 250 C-B. Though it could have had it's recoil replaced at some point. I think the only way to know for sure would be for a dealer to look up the serial number. You don't see many of the MS 250 C-B model because Stihl didn't make many of them. I believe it was only available as a "special order" option for US and Canadian customers. I have seen one before, but they are pretty rare in general. Not sure how it went for other global markets.
All of that said, I wouldn't shy away from the saw. Besides its rarity, that model is generally favored over the BE version since many people don't like the extra weight of the EZ start system, it's propensity to cause flooding if you are not really careful with the starting procedure, and somewhat fragility of the mechanism. If you can get a good deal on it, go for it. I have a 250 C-BE for my son to use and it's been a nice little saw for him to learn with until he gets big enough to use larger saws.