Stihl products quality

[caseydog]

Stihl and every other maker has "price leader" items that are below the expected quality/longevity for a higher end brand. Not to say that it still shouldn't be usable but there are more duds in the lower end. Any honest dealer will tell you which models fall below the threshold , maybe you could uptrade ?

I use Husqvarna products from a servicing dealer , same deal the lower end products are not of the same quality as an entry level "professional" machine.

Ray

 

[2152hq]

The last gas chain saw I had was a Stihl and it wasn't very reliable. I'd had a couple different ones for the past 20 years prior and treated them all correctly. Used 'em alot as I heated the house w/wood back then.

I was told ethanol ('dry gas' in the winter) was bad for the seals in a carb back 40 years ago and to use it sparingly. I'm sure the materials have been improved to resist it's effects but maybe not in all applications and mfg'rs.

 

[enfield]

I don't use Stabil any more. Always run the saw and trimmer out of gas and put some oil in the cylinder at the end of the season.

 

[Hermann]

Over here in Stihl country I bet you would not have this problem.
I had a problem only once with my 440 chainsaw. It was heavyly used and just after the warranty was over after 2 years a rather expensive part broke. A quick call to their headquarters was all what was needed, the local dealer was authorized to do any repair needed without charging the customer. Needless to say, I was impressed by their commitment to quality and service. I would not have expected this.
After all I never had a problem again with a Stihl product, but I heard that the low cost line is not reliable - I guess it comes down to "you get what you pay for". However, I would suggest to contact Stihl USA about you troubles.

By the way, I never care much about the saw, I just fill it with fresh gas/oil mix and this thing runs without troubles ...
- I stay away from the Ethanol fuel !

 

[deanodog]

I do not have any cost leader type. I always buy what the commercial contractors use. I had better service from some cheaper different brands. When I could afford better I thought stihl would be best. I may try to find better gas when I get them out of the shop. The trimmers cost >500.00+.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I bought a new Stihl FS 55R string trimmer with the blade attachment kit, two years ago and I haven't had any problems with it. Starts good and I have never had it back to the shop even for carb tuning. I leave about a half a tank in it during the winter, but I store it in a heated shop. I would like to have the one that has a power head with all kinds of attachments, like the power pruner. I love Stihl products, I even love German bier.
Peace,
gordon

 

[rock doc]

I pitched my Homelite chainsaw and weed whacker several years ago and bought Stihls. They start every time I need them, unlike the Homelites, even when I don't "winterize" them.

 

[Ga Johnny]

deano

Do ya happen to live near a large lake or some place that would cater to boats and the marine crowd as I understand it you're more likely to find gas without all that corn in it in such places.

 

[loutent]

I bought the Stihl FS 55R about 2 years ago (~$160 I think) - it gave good service for 1 season, then I let it sit idle for a year (knee surgery) with fuel in it. Would not start (of course) this spring, but after a $109 carburetor/repair job it been great. I consider it my fault - would buy a Stihl again - they seem to be well engineered & built.

 

[rburg]

I think you've correctly isolated the problem to the fuel you use. Find a different gas station. My personal preference is one by an interstate that uses a lot of fuel. Small stations sometimes don't get new fuel as often. Then as stated, look for non-alcohol fuel. It eats/disolves some metals, like the aluminum in your carb.

A good first step would be to try to run your power tools dry each cycle. I admit I don't, but if you have trouble, its a good first step. Just go out and start each one and let it warm up. Shut if off and dump your fuel in the tank out. Use a funnel and catch it back in the gas can. Then restart your engine and let it run itself out. It takes a minute or two.

Yes, I have Stihl chain saws, leaf blower, weed eater. Nary a problem with them. But I buy my fuel out of state. My county requires rotten fuel, so I cross the river to Ohio where they have good gas, both for my vehicles and power tools.

 

[cp1969]

Stihl is now being sold out of the 'big box' stores and as such has to comply with the pricing terms imposed upon them. Quality suffers. The product you remember as being high quality is nowhere near the same product today.

Lots of formerly good brand names have been ruined by such arrangements.