Chainsaw
Stihl MS 201
2-Stroke
The Stihl MS 201 is a 35.2cc 2-stroke professional chainsaw built for utility arborists and tree crews who need a light production saw. It accepts 12" to 16" guide bars and weighs notably less than other saws in its displacement class, reducing fatigue during long shifts. The MS 201 uses a Zama carburetor and shares ignition and recoil parts with the MS 250 family. Under professional production cycles, annual carburetor cleaning or rebuild is standard practice alongside routine fuel filter and primer bulb replacement.
Stihl MS 201 quick specs
- Equipment
- Chainsaw · 2-Stroke
- Covered Parts
- Spark Plug, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Carburetor, Recoil Starter, Ignition Coil, Primer Bulb, Fuel Line Kit, Chain, Guide Bar
- OEM References
- 0000 400 7000, 1145 140 4402, 0000 350 3518, 1145 120 0605, 1145 080 2100, 1145 400 1300, 0000 350 6202, 1145 358 7700
- Model Family
- MS 201
- Last Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
- Data Confidence
- Not yet independently reviewed
- Sources Consulted
- Evidence source not recorded
Quick Fitment
| Part Type | OEM / Spec | Common Option | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark Plug | 0000 400 7000 | NGK BPMR7A | Confidence not assigned · Not yet independently reviewed |
| Air Filter | 1145 140 4402 | Stens 605-767 | Confidence not assigned · Not yet independently reviewed |
| Fuel Filter | 0000 350 3518 | OEM 0000 350 3518 | Confidence not assigned · Not yet independently reviewed |
| Carburetor | 1145 120 0605 | Zama C1Q-S222 | Confidence not assigned · Not yet independently reviewed |
| Primer Bulb | 0000 350 6202 | Zama BG-00-4 | Confidence not assigned · Not yet independently reviewed |
| Recoil Starter | 1145 080 2100 | OEM 1145 080 2100 | Confidence not assigned · Not yet independently reviewed |
| Ignition Coil | 1145 400 1300 | OEM 1145 400 1300 | Confidence not assigned · Not yet independently reviewed |
| Fuel Line Kit | 1145 358 7700 | OEM 1145 358 7700 | Confidence not assigned · Not yet independently reviewed |
Tune-Up Kit
Common service bundle: spark plug, air filter, fuel filter, carburetor, primer bulb, fuel line kit.
Maintenance Interval
Inspect filters and fuel lines each season, replace spark plugs during annual service, and service carb/fuel-system parts when starting or idle symptoms appear.
Before You Buy
- Confirm the full model is Stihl MS 201, not just the family name.
- Check serial number, production date, and regional variant before ordering.
- Match the old OEM number stamped on the removed part when available.
- Compare dimensions, plug gap, thread, fuel line diameter, or chain pitch/gauge where applicable.
Common Mistakes
- Ordering from a family listing without checking the exact sub-model.
- Buying a kit that includes the headline part but wrong gaskets, lines, or bulb size.
- Choosing the wrong carburetor revision when multiple versions were used.
- Assuming all fuel line kits use the same diameter and routing.
- Installing the correct plug number with the wrong gap.
- Matching bar length but missing pitch, gauge, or drive-link count.
Symptoms Map
Won't start
Spark plug, fuel filter, primer bulb, carburetor
Starts then dies
Fuel filter, fuel line kit, carburetor
Bogs under throttle
Air filter, carburetor, spark plug gap
Primer will not fill
Primer bulb, fuel line routing, in-tank filter
Cuts slowly
Chain pitch/gauge, bar wear, drive links
Replacement Options
Best OEM equivalent
Start with OEM references 0000 400 7000, 1145 140 4402, 0000 350 3518, 1145 120 0605 and match the removed part before choosing a listing.
Common aftermarket option
Cross-check aftermarket listings such as NGK BPMR7A (spark plug), Stens 605-767 (air filter), Zama C1Q-S222 (carburetor) against the OEM number and dimensions.
Best for annual tune-up
Bundle spark plug, air filter, fuel filter when servicing the Stihl MS 201 at the start of the season.
Best if replacing fuel system
Compare the fuel filter, carburetor, primer bulb, fuel line kit together so line routing, bulb size, filter style, and carburetor connections match.
Best chain/bar combo
Match chain specs together, especially pitch, gauge, drive links, and bar mount details.
Best budget kit
Use kit listings only when every included part matches this model page; cheap kits often mix correct headline parts with wrong bulbs, lines, or gaskets.
FAQ
Should I buy OEM or aftermarket parts for the Stihl MS 201? Use OEM when the part controls fuel metering, ignition, or safety. Aftermarket kits can be useful for routine filters, bulbs, plugs, and tune-up bundles when the OEM number and dimensions match.
How do I avoid ordering the wrong carburetor for the MS 201? Match the carburetor number stamped on the removed unit, then compare linkage, choke setup, primer routing, gasket stack, and fuel-inlet direction.
What should I check before replacing fuel-system parts? Photograph the old fuel-line routing, match line diameter and filter style, and compare primer bulb size before buying a kit.
What chain details matter besides bar length? Match pitch, gauge, and drive-link count against the bar stamp, old chain, and drive sprocket. Bar length alone is not enough.
Spark Plug
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
- Dimensions
- 0.5mm gap
Air Filter
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
- Variant notes
- HD2 heavy-duty filter; fits MS 201 and MS 201 T
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| Stens | 605-767 | Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying. |
Fuel Filter
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
- Variant notes
- Orange in-tank pickup body fuel filter
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| No aftermarket listing is published for this part yet. Use the OEM reference and verify with a dealer or service manual before ordering. | ||
Carburetor
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
- Variant notes
- Zama C1Q-S222; also fits MS 201 T
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| Zama | C1Q-S222 | Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying. |
Recoil Starter
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| No aftermarket listing is published for this part yet. Use the OEM reference and verify with a dealer or service manual before ordering. | ||
Ignition Coil
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| No aftermarket listing is published for this part yet. Use the OEM reference and verify with a dealer or service manual before ordering. | ||
Primer Bulb
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| Zama | BG-00-4 | Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying. |
Fuel Line Kit
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
- Variant notes
- Includes fuel pickup line and return line
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| No aftermarket listing is published for this part yet. Use the OEM reference and verify with a dealer or service manual before ordering. | ||
Chain
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
- Dimensions
- 14", 3/8" PM3 picco pitch, .043" gauge, 52 drive links
- Variant notes
- Stock bar length; verify drive link count matches your bar
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 91PX052G | Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying. |
Guide Bar
- Reviewed
- Not yet independently reviewed
- Dimensions
- 14", 3/8" PM3 picco pitch, .043" gauge
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 140SDEA041 | Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying. |