Chainsaw

Stihl MS 230

2-Stroke · Also known as: 023

The Stihl MS 230 is a 40.2cc 2-stroke chainsaw in the center of Stihl's homeowner trio, bridging the MS 210 and MS 250. It handles 14" to 16" guide bars and manages regular firewood cutting and occasional felling comfortably. The MS 230 shares its Zama C1Q-S112 carburetor, air filter (OEM 1123 120 1613), ignition coil, recoil starter, and fuel line kit with the MS 210 and MS 250 — one carburetor rebuild kit covers all three saws. The MS 230 superseded the Stihl 023.

See a wrong fitment? Report a correction.

Verify before ordering: Fitment can vary by serial number, production date, region, and sub-model. Match the OEM number and physical dimensions before ordering.

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, 1123 120 1613, 0000 350 3500, 1123 120 0600, 1123 080 1802, 1123 400 1201, 4238 350 6201, 1123 358 7701
Model Family: MS 210, MS 230, MS 250, MS 251
Last Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Data Confidence: Aftermarket-confirmed
Sources Consulted: OEM part references, Aftermarket catalog cross-references, Retailer fitment listings

ℹ See also: MS 210, MS 250, MS 251 — parts are often interchangeable within this family.

Quick Fitment

Part Type	OEM / Spec	Common Option	Confidence
Spark Plug	0000 400 7000	NGK BPMR7A	Medium · 2026-05-20
Air Filter	1123 120 1613	Stens 605-687	Medium · 2026-05-20
Fuel Filter	0000 350 3500	OEM 0000 350 3500	Low · 2026-05-20
Carburetor	1123 120 0600	Zama C1Q-S112	Medium · 2026-05-20
Primer Bulb	4238 350 6201	Zama BG-00-4	Medium · 2026-05-20
Recoil Starter	1123 080 1802	Stens 150-568	Medium · 2026-05-20
Ignition Coil	1123 400 1201	Stens 610-879	Medium · 2026-05-20
Fuel Line Kit	1123 358 7701	Stens 115-128	Medium · 2026-05-20

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 230, 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, 1123 120 1613, 0000 350 3500, 1123 120 0600 and match the removed part before choosing a listing.

Common aftermarket option

Cross-check aftermarket listings such as NGK BPMR7A (spark plug), Stens 605-687 (air filter), Zama C1Q-S112 (carburetor) against the OEM number and dimensions.

Best for annual tune-up

Bundle spark plug, air filter, fuel filter when servicing the Stihl MS 230 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

Does this fit MS 210 or MS 250? Parts may interchange with MS 210, MS 250, MS 251, but verify the serial range, OEM number, and physical part details before ordering.

Should I buy OEM or aftermarket parts for the Stihl MS 230? 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 230? 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

OEM0000 400 7000Confidence: Medium · Source: Aftermarket catalog

Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Dimensions: 0.5mm gap

Brand	Part #
NGK	BPMR7A	Best for annual tune-upAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.
Champion	RCJ6Y	Best for annual tune-upAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.

Air Filter

OEM1123 120 1613Confidence: Medium · Source: Aftermarket catalog

Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Variant notes: Fits 021, 023, 025, MS210, MS230, MS250

Brand	Part #
Stens	605-687	Best for annual tune-upAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.

Fuel Filter

OEM0000 350 3500Confidence: Low · Source: Aftermarket catalog

Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Variant notes: 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

OEM1123 120 0600Confidence: Medium · Source: Aftermarket catalog

Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Variant notes: Zama C1Q-S112; fits MS 210, MS 230, MS 250

Brand	Part #
Zama	C1Q-S112	Best if replacing fuel systemAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.

Recoil Starter

OEM1123 080 1802Confidence: Medium · Source: Aftermarket catalog

Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Variant notes: Fits MS 210, MS 230, MS 250

Brand	Part #
Stens	150-568	Best overallAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.

Ignition Coil

OEM1123 400 1201Confidence: Medium · Source: Aftermarket catalog

Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Variant notes: Fits MS 210, MS 230, MS 250

Brand	Part #
Stens	610-879	Best overallAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.

Primer Bulb

OEM4238 350 6201Confidence: Medium · Source: Aftermarket catalog

Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Variant notes: Newer units (SN# 287332321+) use 0000 350 6202

Brand	Part #
Zama	BG-00-4	Best if replacing fuel systemAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.
Hipa	G002-H	Best if replacing fuel systemAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.

Fuel Line Kit

OEM1123 358 7701Confidence: Medium · Source: Aftermarket catalog

Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Variant notes: Includes fuel pickup line and return line; fits 021, 023, 025, MS210, MS230, MS250

Brand	Part #
Stens	115-128	Best if replacing fuel systemAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.

Chain

OEMSpec-based fitmentConfidence: Low · Source: Inferred

Reviewed: 2026-05-20
Dimensions: 16", 3/8" LP pitch, .050" gauge, 55 drive links
Variant notes: Stock bar length; verify drive link count matches your bar

Brand	Part #
Oregon	S55	Best chain/bar comboAmazonAffiliate link Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying.

Guide Bar