Has anyone had problems with the newer Stihl string trimmers and chain saws. I have had mine in the shop as much as I use them. Every year the trimmers has to have new carbs. I use fresh gas and stihl oil at the recomended mixes. I use sta-bil in the gas also. My latest trimmer is two years old and two new carbs.The repair man says he has changed bunches of carbs in the last year. Stihl uses to stand for quality and reliability.End of rant.
Stihl products quality
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I've got a Stihl Farm Boss chain-saw and a Stihl weed-whacker. Both bought new, have had them for years. No problems whatsoever.
Maybe the older ones were better?
That seems to be par for the course these days.
Maybe the older ones were better?
That seems to be par for the course these days.
novalty
Member
In high-school, I worked with my dad & brother maintaining 30 lawns during the summer. We would go through approximately 15 gallons of fuel in our Stihl trimmer(which is a lot when you consider the size of the tank), and I absolutely swear by the durability and performance of Stihl trimmers. I got a great deal on a model 110 a couple years ago, and although I have only had one issue with a ignition control module, the only feature I miss from the older models is the auto-feed head, the bump-heads work good, but the auto-feeds used to work so well. I love that you can add the power-sweep attachment, and blades if you need to cut down small trees/brush.
My weed-whacker is a few years old, so maybe it doesn't count, but the only thing I've replaced is string and one spark plug.
ldausmc1369
US Veteran
Sthil Product Quality
Just this spring had to have the whole carb replaced on the string trimmer, only 2 years old. Shop mgr says the amount of Ethanol they mix in gasoline these days plays havoc with the carbs on the small 2 cycle engines. However, got a chain saw that's over 20 yrs old and will generally start on the 2 or 3rd pull. Go figure. Fuel them out of the same can!
Just this spring had to have the whole carb replaced on the string trimmer, only 2 years old. Shop mgr says the amount of Ethanol they mix in gasoline these days plays havoc with the carbs on the small 2 cycle engines. However, got a chain saw that's over 20 yrs old and will generally start on the 2 or 3rd pull. Go figure. Fuel them out of the same can!
novalty
Member
I use the blue colored Stabil along with proper ratio 2-cycle oil for my Stihl trimmer. Starts generally on 2nd pull everytime, do notice you have to turn the choke off immediately or it starts to die out.
novalty
Member
I unfortunately run it dry almost every use, but not on purpose, only because the area I trim around my house takes over an hour and it usually uses more than 1 tank. The only time I empty the tank is for storage in the fall for the winter months. Otherwise I will leave gas in tank throughout summer.
CT Smith Fan
Member
Don't use stabilizer at all,use stihl ultra oil with stabilizer in it.The older red stabil has a problem with the ethanol in modern fuel,I don't use any extra stabilizer, mix very small batches of pre-mix (2 gallons or less) and always use 89 or better fuel.Also they say to drain the tank if you are not using the unit for 30 days or more.Good Luck!
novalty
Member
Another recommended product is SeaFoam, for fuel treatment. Agree with small batch tip, as I only fill a 2 gallon can at beginning of season for use in trimmer. My Stihl has run fine on Regular pump gas and 2-cycle oil, for the past 3 years now. No extra carbon fouling of plugs, always plenty of power.
I buy my gas from a grocery chain gas-n-go(cheaper). So now I wonder if they may have more ethenal in it. I may try another source next time. I buy regular but it seems like I read in the manual to use higher grade. I mix one gallon at a time but I use lot's of it.
FlYFiShErMaN
US Veteran
I have the combo trimmer/edger, and one of their blowers, all bought new in 2003. None of them have been to the shop, and we mow the heck out of some grass here.
cass
Member
My Stihl/Echo dealer now recommends Echo. His repair shop is loaded with Stihl warranty work, which until a couple of years ago, seldom happened. He said Stihl made some changes in production processes and interior components, and the brand has gone downhill. He showed me his repair backlog, and I couldn't believe it. The older units are worth looking for.
haifabuddy
Member
Call or visit John Strayer the Stihl guy in Live Oak, Florida. Connected next door is his great gun shop ProArms. Both are upscale, fully stocked for Stihl products and firearms.
duckloads
Member
I've been told the same thing about the ethanol. I don't own Stihl, but my weedeater and blower get carb overhauls about every 1-2 yrs. I do them myself. after a few times, it's a piece of cake.
That g'ment subsidized fuel is ruining everything.
7003006
Member
I bought a new Stihl trimmer a couple of years ago and have not had any problems,I use Stihl's synthetic oil and go the extra mile to find non-ethanol gasoline.
50 target
Member
I have an older Stihl straight shaft weed eater that is I believe an F70, I think. I bought an 80 tooth cutoff blade for it and I think that if the engine was a little bigger, I could pulpwood with it. Never had a problem with it. Leave it with gas in it all winter, crank it up in the spring. One thing I do that noone has mentioned is that I use OptimOil, which is a thin blue high grade oil that you can mix with one or two gallons of gas depending on what size package you buy and use it in everything 2 cycle. Fantastic stuff. No experience with the new Stihl products. Oh, the other thing is with the old ones, you have to be in good shape cause they are heavy. You don't see the pros using them much cause you can buy the cheaper ones every year and they are lighter and they just throw'em away.
Jim in Wisconsin
Member
Recently bought: snowblower, lawn mower, and a gas trimmer. All told me not to use ethanol gas. Next door neighbor had big problems with his Johnson outboard. Dealer fixed it. Said you've been using ethanol gas-neighbor admitted it was so. Dealer said keep it up, we need the repair business, otherwise use real gas.
Got me to thinking, and started putting premium ( w/o ETOH) in my GMC and was amazed at how much difference there was.
Got me to thinking, and started putting premium ( w/o ETOH) in my GMC and was amazed at how much difference there was.
caseydog
Member
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
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
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.
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
US Veteran
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
Member
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 !
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 !
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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+.
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G.T. Smith
US Veteran
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
Peace,
gordon
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.
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
Member
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.
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.
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