Complete Stihl MS 311 Chainsaw Parts Breakdown with Assembly Guide

stihl ms 311 parts diagram

Begin by identifying the engine housing cover–this section houses critical air filtration components. Remove the three screws securing it: two near the fuel tank and one adjacent to the recoil starter. Misalignment during reassembly can compromise airflow, leading to reduced performance. Note the gasket’s position; damage here will require a replacement (OEM part #4230-120-4100).

Next, inspect the carburetor linkage. The throttle trigger connects via a pin (part #4149-120-3800) that frequently wears under heavy use. Apply a light coating of molybdenum disulfide grease during reinstallation to prevent seizing. The choke lever, often overlooked, attaches with a spring–ensure tension remains consistent to avoid cold-start failures.

The chain brake mechanism demands precise adjustment. The band (part #4230-120-3204) must contact the clutch drum smoothly; excess slack causes delayed braking. Test by engaging the brake fully–resistance should activate within 0.2 seconds. Replace the band if wear exceeds 1mm along the friction surface.

For the piston assembly, refer to the exploded view in the service manual (section 5-3). The gudgeon pin (part #1120-020-0300) must align with the connecting rod’s small end; misinstallation risks catastrophic failure. Use a micrometer to measure piston ring gaps–specs are 0.08–0.12mm for compression rings and 0.15–0.25mm for the oil ring.

Spark plug maintenance requires a torque wrench: 18–20 Nm for proper seating. The electrode gap is 0.5mm; deviations cause misfires. Coil resistance should read 3.0–5.0 kΩ at 20°C–higher values indicate internal fault, necessitating coil replacement (part #4140-400-0202).

Repairing Your Pro Saw: A Visual Breakdown

stihl ms 311 parts diagram

Locate the air filter housing by removing the four Torx T27 screws securing the top cover–these fasten directly into the carburetor base plate, not the cylinder. The OEM filter (part #1136-120-1000) sits flush inside a recessed groove; replace it if compressed more than 2 mm or if cracks appear near the rim. Check the impulse hose (ID 2.1 mm) while the housing is off; splits here mimic carburetor failure by causing inconsistent fuel draw.

Disassemble the chain brake band only if engagement becomes sluggish. Slide the band off the sprocket cover, noting its clockwise orientation; accidental reversal increases braking distance by 30 %. Clean the band’s friction surface with 400-grit silicon carbide paper–never wire brush, which removes the heat-treated layer. Reinstall by hooking the tab into the notch first, then rotating the band until the locating pin clicks. Torque the cover screws to 7 Nm; over-tightening warps the cover and prevents smooth brake release.

Inspect the crankshaft seal (front, size 15x25x7 mm) every 50 hours of operation by shining a focused LED through the flywheel fan slots; wet oil spots indicate leakage. Remove the flywheel with a harmonic puller (M12x1.5 thread) and replace the seal with an oil-filled SKF 16015 variant–press fit it to a depth of 9.2 mm from the crankcase surface to ensure proper bearing alignment. Over-pressing compresses the spring and reduces seal life by 40 %. Always replace both seals as a pair; failure rates double if only one is serviced.

How to Locate Critical Elements in Your Professional Chainsaw Schematic

stihl ms 311 parts diagram

Begin by tracing the air filter assembly–typically positioned near the rear upper section of the engine housing. On most mid-size saws, this component connects directly to the carburetor via a flexible intake hose. Verify the filter’s housing latch; damage here often leads to unfiltered air entering combustion chambers, causing premature piston wear. Replace if silicon seals appear brittle or the mesh shows discoloration beyond light gray.

The ignition module sits adjacent to the flywheel, shielded by a plastic cover secured with two Torx T25 screws. Remove the cover to inspect the coil-to-flywheel air gap–factory specifications call for 0.2–0.3 mm. Wider gaps reduce spark energy, manifesting as hard starts or misfires during acceleration. Use a non-magnetic feeler gauge to confirm alignment; magnetic tools distort readings.

Follow the oil pump drive gear from the crankshaft sprocket to its endpoint at the lower guide bar mount. The gear’s teeth engage a worm drive that pressurizes bar oil; worn teeth cause erratic lubrication, evidenced by dry sawdust accumulating on the underside of the cutting attachment. Replace if teeth display visible flattening or if rotational play exceeds 1 mm when measured at the rim.

The clutch assembly comprises three friction shoes housed under a centrifugal spring-loaded mechanism. To access, remove the drive sprocket cover–secured by three M8 bolts–and note the orientation of the friction shoes before disassembly. Contamination with chain oil or sawdust reduces clamping force, leading to slipping under load. Clean with brake cleaner; replace shoes if grooves exceed 0.5 mm in depth.

Check the exhaust port for carbon buildup, particularly around the spark arrestor screen. Excessive carbon–thicker than 2 mm–restricts airflow, elevating internal temperatures and causing performance drop under prolonged use. Scrape deposits with a brass brush; steel tools risk scratching the port walls, which accelerates future carbon adhesion.

Inspect the recoil starter by removing its outer casing–fastened with four Phillips screws. Examine the rope’s fray points; if strands show separation within 15 cm of the handle, replace immediately to avoid sudden failure during pull-starts. Verify the pawl’s spring tension; weak tension prevents re-engagement with the flywheel, requiring manual rewinding after each start attempt.

The guide bar mounting studs secure the cutting attachment at two points–one behind the clutch and one near the rear handle. Misalignment here causes uneven bar wear or chain derailment. Confirm stud tightness at 12 Nm torque; overtightening distorts the bar’s seating surface, while loose studs allow vibration-induced chain jumping. Use a magnetic bit socket to prevent dropped washers during reassembly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reconstructing Your Professional Chainsaw Using the Schematic

stihl ms 311 parts diagram

Begin by securing the powerhead in a vise with soft jaws to prevent damage–position it upside down to expose the crankcase screws. Refer to the visual breakdown, locating the torque specifications for each fastener: the crankcase bolts require 12–15 Nm, while the cylinder cover bolts demand 10–12 Nm. Use a torque wrench to avoid overtightening, which can distort the housing or strip threads. Identify the piston orientation by aligning the ring gaps 120 degrees apart before sliding it into the cylinder; any misalignment will cause compression loss or scoring.

  • Clean all mating surfaces with brake cleaner to remove old gasket residue–failure to do so risks air leaks.
  • Apply 0.5mm of high-temperature silicone to the crankcase gasket interface, avoiding excess that could clog oil passages.
  • Reinstall the flywheel with the keyway aligned; if the woodruff key is missing, the ignition timing will be off, leading to hard starts or kickback.
  • Thread the clutch assembly by hand first, then tighten to 40–50 Nm using a clutch wrench–never substitute with pliers.

After reassembling the engine core, focus on the guide bar mounting. Slide the bar onto the studs, ensuring the oil port aligns with the pump outlet–misalignment starves the chain of lubrication, causing overheating within 20–30 seconds of operation. Secure the bar with the side cover, tightening the nuts alternately in 1 Nm increments to prevent warping. Install the chain with the cutting edges facing forward on the top of the bar; reverse orientation dulls the teeth instantly and increases kickback risk. Adjust tension by turning the wheel until the chain snaps back when lifted 5mm from the bar–over-tensioning accelerates sprocket wear, while slack causes derailment.

Key Wear Components and Where to Find Them on the Schematic

stihl ms 311 parts diagram

The air filter (item #1120-120-1616) sits behind the pull starter housing on the right side, secured by a single screw. Replace it every 25 operating hours or if clogged–visible debris or reduced engine pull indicate urgency. The foam element can be cleaned once with mild detergent, but paper versions require immediate disposal–never reuse.

Component Diagram Reference Lifecycle Signs Tool Required
Spark plug (NGK BPMR7A) Position 24 Fouled electrodes, misfires 13mm socket, torque to 22 Nm
Bar drive sprocket (7-tooth) Position 71 Uneven chain spin, visible wear T25 Torx, replace with chain
Anti-vibration mounts Positions 31/32 Excessive handle vibration Flathead screwdriver

Inspect the carburetor gasket (item #1127-120-0300) annually–located beneath the air filter base. Hardened or cracked seals cause lean fuel mixtures, evidenced by erratic idle or failure to start. Clean mating surfaces with acetone before installation, ensuring no debris remains between the gasket and body.

Chain tensioner wear manifests as loose chains despite adjustment–check the worm gear (item #1121-120-1610) inside the housing plate. Turn it clockwise until resistance increases, then retract half a turn; stripped threads require replacing the entire plate assembly. Use blue thread locker on the securing screws during reassembly.

Fuel filters (inline model #0000-120-2502) clog every 100 hours–replace immediately if fuel flow slows. Locate it inside the tank along the pick-up line; never attempt cleaning–tank sediment will break free during attempts. Simultaneously inspect the fuel line (item #0000-893-2007) for cracks; brittle segments introduce air leaks, causing hard starts.

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