Stihl MS201T Muffler by Westcoast Saw

This Stihl MS201T muffler from Westcoast Saw is a replacement for the muffler on Stihl's popular top-handle saw. Swap it in when the original is cracked, loose on its mounts or choked with carbon.

When to replace the muffler

A muffler on a top-handle saw lives a hard life. It gets packed with sawdust and sap, bumped against the trunk and baked on long climbs. Cracked housings, broken mounts or a spark arrestor screen clogged with carbon will make the saw run hot, lose power and get louder.

The MS 201 T is a common climbing saw on tree crews, and many are run hard for years. Check muffler bolts as part of routine service, since vibration can loosen them, and clean the spark arrestor screen when the saw starts to feel sluggish.

Westcoast Saw focuses on parts for the top-handle saws climbers rely on. A replacement muffler is also a good chance to look over the rest of the saw: check the cylinder fins for packed debris, clean the air filter and confirm the spark arrestor screen is clear.

Fitting and running it

Let the saw cool before working near the muffler. Fit new gaskets if they are damaged, tighten the bolts evenly and check them again after the first tank. If your area or job needs a spark arrestor, make sure one is fitted. A change to exhaust flow can change how the saw runs, so have the carburetor checked if it is not idling or accelerating cleanly. Wear hearing protection whenever the saw is running. More top-handle parts are in our parts section.