Chainsaw
Stihl MS 361
2-Stroke
The Stihl MS 361 is a 59.0cc 2-stroke professional chainsaw produced from the 1990s through the mid-2010s and one of Stihl's most celebrated production saws. Its power-to-weight ratio, durability, and service accessibility made it the standard choice on professional logging and land-clearing crews worldwide for over a decade. The MS 361 accepts 16" to 25" guide bars and runs a Walbro HD carburetor . Stens and Oregon maintain large aftermarket parts inventories. High-hour wear items include the ignition coil, recoil starter, bar oiler, and Walbro diaphragm.
Stihl MS 361 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, 1135 120 1600, 0000 350 3518, 1135 120 0601, 1135 080 2102, 1135 400 1300, 4238 350 6201, 1135 350 7600
- Model Family
- MS 361, MS 362
- Last Reviewed
- 2026-05-20
- Data Confidence
- Aftermarket-confirmed
- Sources Consulted
- OEM part references, Aftermarket catalog cross-references, Retailer fitment listings
Quick Fitment
| Part Type | OEM / Spec | Common Option | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark Plug | 0000 400 7000 | NGK BPMR7A | Medium · 2026-05-20 |
| Air Filter | 1135 120 1600 | OEM 1135 120 1600 | Low · 2026-05-20 |
| Fuel Filter | 0000 350 3518 | OEM 0000 350 3518 | Low · 2026-05-20 |
| Carburetor | 1135 120 0601 | Zama C3A-S31A | Medium · 2026-05-20 |
| Primer Bulb | 4238 350 6201 | Zama BG-00-4 | Medium · 2026-05-20 |
| Recoil Starter | 1135 080 2102 | OEM 1135 080 2102 | Low · 2026-05-20 |
| Ignition Coil | 1135 400 1300 | OEM 1135 400 1300 | Low · 2026-05-20 |
| Fuel Line Kit | 1135 350 7600 | OEM 1135 350 7600 | Low · 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 361, 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, 1135 120 1600, 0000 350 3518, 1135 120 0601 and match the removed part before choosing a listing.
Common aftermarket option
Cross-check aftermarket listings such as NGK BPMR7A (spark plug), Zama C3A-S31A (carburetor), Zama BG-00-4 (primer bulb) against the OEM number and dimensions.
Best for annual tune-up
Bundle spark plug, air filter, fuel filter when servicing the Stihl MS 361 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 362? Parts may interchange with MS 362, but verify the serial range, OEM number, and physical part details before ordering.
Should I buy OEM or aftermarket parts for the Stihl MS 361? 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 361? 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
- 2026-05-20
- Dimensions
- 0.5mm gap
Air Filter
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-20
- Variant notes
- Fleece filter element; fits MS 341, MS 361
| 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. | ||
Fuel Filter
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-20
- Variant notes
- In-tank pickup 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
- 2026-05-20
- Variant notes
- Zama C3A-S31A; also fits MS 341, MS 360
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| Zama | C3A-S31A | Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying. |
Recoil Starter
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-20
| 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
- 2026-05-20
| 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
- 2026-05-20
| 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
- 2026-05-20
- Variant notes
- Fuel pickup and return line; fits MS 341, MS 361, MS 440, MS 460
| 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
- 2026-05-20
- Dimensions
- 18", 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge, 66 drive links
- Variant notes
- Stock bar length; verify drive link count matches your bar
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 72EXL066G | Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying. |
Guide Bar
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-20
- Dimensions
- 18", 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge
| Brand | Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 180VXLHD025 | Some links may be affiliate links. Match the OEM number, dimensions, and model variant before buying. |