trimmer problems

[Don-Wi]

I have a Stihl string trimmer that has a new issue. I grabbed it off the wall in my garage (hanging vertical) and gas dumped out the exhaust.

No time to mess with it now but I'm confused to say the least. I took the carb off 2 weeks ago because it didn't run right, cleaned it, and put it back on. Ran like new again.

I can pull it over right now but I'm sure the gas has the spark plug very wet do for now I'm gonna leave it on the floor and get back to it another day.

Any ideas?

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[D beatty]

Your problem is that you are hanging it vertical when it should be hung horizontal.

 

[Jiles]

(quoted from post at 19:56:40 05/07/15) I have a Stihl string trimmer that has a new issue. I grabbed it off the wall in my garage (hanging vertical) and gas dumped out the exhaust.

No time to mess with it now but I'm confused to say the least. I took the carb off 2 weeks ago because it didn't run right, cleaned it, and put it back on. Ran like new again.

I can pull it over right now but I'm sure the gas has the spark plug very wet do for now I'm gonna leave it on the floor and get back to it another day.

Any ideas?

Donovan from Wisconsin

It would be my guess that you have a carb issue. Metering needle may be leaking. I have seen carbs with the tiny spring mispositioned. you might want to check that
A word of caution--I would remove the spark plug, carburetor and the muffler, then position piston at BDC (all the way down) and drain all gas from crank. Preferably, let it set for a day or night before using it.
Store horizontal, or with empty tank, until you find problem

 

[Jiles]

(quoted from post at 20:20:09 05/07/15) Your problem is that you are hanging it vertical when it should be hung horizontal.

Mine has always hung vertical. That's what the storage handle/hook is for.

 

[Steve@Advance]

They're not that much different from a regular carb, just a diaphragm instead of a float. Something goes wrong and it will flood.

Could be the needle valve. Bad seal or trash under the seat, the spring that holds it closed, the arm is bent, the diaphragm is in upside down.

Could be the bowl diaphragm has a hole in it.

 

[D beatty]

What storage handle/hook? Stihl weedeaters have no handle to hang from. The only way to hang vertical is to make hook to hang it by the cutting head.

 

[red.green]

Why would you hang it with the motor at the bottom.? We have 5-6 handhelds and they all hang motor at the top. Never had an issue!

 

[mjbrown]

You are in luck. I love my non functional trimmer.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 13:51:17 05/07/15) You are in luck. I love my non functional trimmer.

A cordless electric trimmer takes care of most of the trimming. Roundup takes care of the rest of it.

 

[notjustair]

My Stihl dealer told me that it didn't matter how I
store it, although I just set mine on the floor in the
shed.

 

[BushogPapa]

Take the plug out and flush it out good with Brake cleaner..let it air-dry and it should be good to go..

Ron..

 

[Bob Harvey]

I have had my Stihl for 10+yrs. Always hang it on the wall, use an 's' hook in the eye that the harness attaches to. One of the best 'stupid free' machines I use.

 

[guido]

Hello Don-Wi,

Check the height of the needle lever.The part that the diagram pushes to unseat the
needle, it should be flush with the carb body. You may need to take the muffler off to
get the gas mix out of the crankcase, by bowing air under the piston. You can store it as
you please! I do,

Guido

 

[JayinNY]

I hang my 12 with the motor down no problems.

 

[JayinNY]

Depending on how old it is, fastest thing is just go
on ebay and buy a new carb!

 

[D beatty]

That wouldn't work very well on bike bar straight shaft machine. The harness eye is down at bike bar level. I have a bracket that engine sets on and a hook that holds cutting head up. This hangs just below floor joist in basement.

 

[Don-Wi]

It hangs engine up. Gas tank is on top when hanging so gravity comes into play here.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[M-MAN]

Hope you don't have an efficient muffler. If so it's gonna hurt. Had that happen with my Husqvarna. Even with a torch I coulden't get the muffler burned out. Had to replace it and the carb.

 

[ss55]

I hang them vertical for winter storage, after the gas is drained. If there's gas in it I store them horizontal.

 

[Don-Wi]

Just for grins today I grabbed the trimmer from where I set it on the floor last week and have it a pull, and it fired off without choke or prime. I got a set of rear plugs out and did a little work around the yard with it while the kids played in the driveway (don't worry, plenty of distance between me and them) and once it ran out of string I restrung it and put it back in the garage because it was time for lunch.

Still haven't touched the carb but I may just end up leaving it on the floor for a while. Add long as it still runs when I need it, it's a low priority.

Now I gotta figure out my new leaf blower I got for free. I cleaned the carb and it ran ok with the choke out. I replaced all of the fuel line and now it runs worse than it did before. Haven't touched that in a couple weeks either but if I have time I'll probably tinker with it.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[John_PA]

That is a good reason to buy a Farmall Cub with a Cub-22 sickle mower. They made them 4 foot and 5 foot cut. I hardly touch a string trimmer. I can mow in places you wouldn't think possible, because the pto is transmission driven. slip clutch in first and I can pick a dandelion off a fence post without touching the post.