help with brand new stihl trimmer

18 years ago

I am a little frustrated with my Stihl Dealer and my BRAND NEW FS55 trimmer. I bought the trimmer last August in the middle of the Mid-Atlantic drought and it has only seen 2 tanks of fuel.

The problem- trimmer starts and runs fine. About 20 minutes in (sometimes- NOT always) the trimmer just up and dies. Then it's a real pistol to get started again. Almost like it's flooded. It also likes to bog down when I invert it to edge the flower beds.

I took it back to the dealer since it's new. But they've had it a week and say it may be another till they even look at it. I know they're busy, but come on.

So- are there any known problems with this model or Stihl's in general. I've searched and seen info on fuel lines and carboned up exhaust. But this trimmer was new last season, so I would hardly think it would be carbon. And all of the fuel line issues seem to be on older trimmers.

I am about to the point to go back to the dealer and ask for it back and just try to fix it myself. Does anyone have any insight into what the problem might be?

Got 10 years out of my POS homelite with no troubles. Now that I've "upgraded" to a premium brand, I'm beginning to regret it.

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Comments (8)

den69rs96
18 years ago
sound like an ignition problem.
masiman
18 years ago
Patience grasshopper. I assume you are in Southern Md, since you say Z6 on your profile. The growing season has not hit hard yet, so you have a little time. I'd say, let them do their thing.

Like you, I have read any number of things also for this scenario. Ignition module, carburetor, fuel lines, vent cap, compression. If you think you can troubleshoot this one on your own, why not. If not, you are better off waiting your turn. Any possibility to check the queue on another dealer? I don't know what kind of service you'd get from a shop that you did not purchase the saw from. Hopefully good, but who knows.

The FS55 is a decent homeowner trimmer. I hope they get it working smoothly for you. Just think, if you had bought a new homelite and you had this same problem, you'd be left with nothing unless they exchanged it for a new one.
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jackrabbit
18 years ago
If the Stihl trimmer is new just go to Stihl Web Site on internet. The company is in Virginia Beach Virginia. I am useing eight Stihl chainsaws. The company is good for working with their customer
dbsmksdoug
18 years ago
Does it have a filter in the tank, if so it may be clogged already. In tank filters are not the greatest. May just need some air/fuel adjustments made after initial uses, if its not the filter. 2 cycles can be very finicky. You did not leave fuel in it over the winter I hope. If so, drain it, clean the carb, and refuel with fresh mixture. Good luck
frontiercc
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for the follow up gentlemen . . . . . Dealer called Sat and said there was residue in the carb. I emptied the tank and ran the trimmer out of fuel last fall. I also primed repeatedly and restarted until the trimmer refused to start anymore. They also replaced the fuel filter (which is in tank I think). No charge- so in the end they took care of me.

What I don't understand is the gunk in the carb since I empty all my equipment of fuel around Thanksgiving for winter storage. I've heard of carbs gumming up when fuel is left in them, but never when run dry. Any ideas what might cause such a thing?

Time will tell- hopefully the trimmer proves trouble free from now on.

(And just for reference Masiman, I'm in Northern Central MD WHich is Z6 ~ even if just barely.)
johndeere
18 years ago
I run mine dry as you mentioned and never a problem FS-80 however some say it can create trouble because a small amount of fuel remains to varnish up?

What kind of oil mix do you use?I use only Stihl my self.
masiman
18 years ago
Running an engine dry will still leave some fuel in the carb. More than enough to gum up the engine. There are a few different theories on how best to keep them running.

Regardless of running dry or keeping full. Try some fuel stabilizer in that last tank of fuel.

Consider starting your equipment every month or so during the off season.

Glad the dealer took care of you.
wmshay6
18 years ago
I use Pro-Mix which was recommended to me by a buddy in the lawn care biz. He runs ALOT more mix than I do though. A gallon lasts me 1/2 a season. But this is the same mix I run in my Stihl backpack with no trouble and in my saw for several years with no problem.

I don't know, I'm starting the season with a new can and fresh fuel and Stihl oil. We'll see how that goes.