waiting for pic. of those big trees,

I’m guessing yours was the newest model since you’ve ran other 500is before? They are known for overheating, vapor lock, and potential fuel system problems. Some users have noted the saw's initial poor oiling performance until a restrictor pin is removed. I’m not sure if they changed something with the new model, but they’ll correct it quick. Hopefully recall them off the shelves…….which probably won’t happen….lol. The Mark 1 XPs had the vapour lock/heat issues too. I did a couple mods to mine and it’s been great, but my saws will never get the hours that yours do, and you need your equipment operational. Which is why guys like you spend the big $$ on saws and stick with the 2 big names.
Stihls a great saw, but there’s a reason I’ll never drop a dime on one. Maybe I’ve just ran lemons, but until husky really screws up, that’s all I’ll run.

The one I was referring to is dying today, so I don’t have pictures for you yet lol

Yeah Shakey, it’s the newest one that’s acting up. The 3 series huskies were decent saws (still not my cup of tea) but the 5 series they sacrificed durability for being lightweight. I was working with a guy who ran husky when the 592 came out, he got one and it didn’t last 3 days, the case cracked when he tossed the saw up onto a log so he didn’t have to crawl up there with it. Not saying a saw is designed to be tossed around, but we all do it, so you’d think they’d be built a bit stouter than that

Your statement of 20% water in your gas says it all. Don’t blame Stihl for your misuse.

I have a new Echo saw, battery operated. It has been a workhorse for me. Got tired of pull starting my stihl saws and having other fuel related issues with carburators etc. I have cut and split 8 cords of hardwood in the last few weeks.

I have only needed to keep bar lube filled, my chains sharp and spare batteries charged. I am very pleased. I have found cheap replacement chains ( 5 ) for $9.00 each on Ebay. Can't beat that deal. Once I get several dull I will sharpen a bunch. Start over.

I lived in Ecuador's Amazon region for two years and Stihls were the only saws there. If they can deforest the Amazon they must be decent saws. LOL

I’ve been running stihl saws in SE Alaska my whole adult life (and some as a kid) they’ve all handled our watery gas fine. It comes out of the pump with a bunch of water, it comes here on a barge, and sits in an in ground tank in the wettest place on earth, it is what it is

That’s good it’s working for you, that isn’t an option for me lol

Also update time: got the stihl dealer to give me an injector and ECM, just put it back together, runs great now

Pro that cut hardwood in the mountains use these.

I've got an old Mall and a McCullough, both gear driven hanging in the rafters of the shop if you get desperate.

That’s cute. Where I’m at a 42” bar leaves something to be desired, so whatever that is would be like digging my own grave with a teaspoon

My 3120 is still running strong.

Hey AK Timber Tramp,
Sometime when you are bored and have some free time, you might get a kick out of this old video. I knew one of these characters (Arnie B.), when he was still alive. You'll be happy you don't have to work with the saws these guys used

https://youtu.be/3_gxDqw4hAI?si=vS1LEN4jFmVPFg99

So is my 088 lol

Yeah my dad ran 075’s and 090’s back in the day, I don’t envy him for that (rest his soul). He did have arms as big around as my head, and those old saws might well have been the reason lol

I really thought you had mis-typed the 20%. Dang, I would have never thought any of my Stihl would have ran with that much water. I cut 25-30 cord each year of oak/hickory for firewood. I have a 026/261/360/441/661. These have all served me very well over the past. I always use non ethanol 91 octane and treat with seafoam.

I would if that was an option, but around here you take what you get (which is watery gas) so I add some kx-7 to each batch of saw gas I mix up, it helps a little, but I have to swap fuel filters on my saws every 3-4 weeks

It shows one on the breakdown .