Gas trimmer rant

[mcgsxr]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

I will go to an electric trimmer when my Stihl dies. I have been using it for 12 years with zero maintenance. My brother in law worked at a place in Clarkson so I bought a gas trimmer because for the money I could not pass it up. My wife consistently mocks me when I use it - the City of Burlington uses those she yells at me in our small suburban lot...

[leftintherough]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Mine did the exact same thing. Sounds like the diaphragm is drying up. There are two screws that control the high and low for the carb. Turn the high limit screw until it is fully open.

Bingo! Definately sounds like the diaphragm

[73monte]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Okay....

Called the Stihl dealer this morning, they want me to bring it back. Forget it, not going to bother. Called Stihl Canada. Guy knew his stuff, and he's pretty sure I need a new carb. Stihl won't do anything, and he says the dealer are all privately owned so will have to deal with them.

The thing that annoyed me was, he said that the model I have, (fs-38), is a low end model and I should consider replacing it with a higher end Stihl trimmer.

I don't care how low end it is, I shouldn't have to junk it after 3 years.

Anyway, last ditch effort will be to clean the muffler and replace the air filter. If that doesn't work, I'm ordering a new one from COSTCO.
At least I know that if that doesn't work out, I can take it back without issue.

[Marty Canuck]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Okay....

Called the Stihl dealer this morning, they want me to bring it back. Forget it, not going to bother. Called Stihl Canada. Guy knew his stuff, and he's pretty sure I need a new carb. Stihl won't do anything, and he says the dealer are all privately owned so will have to deal with them.

The thing that annoyed me was, he said that the model I have, (fs-38), is a low end model and I should consider replacing it with a higher end Stihl trimmer.

I don't care how low end it is, I shouldn't have to junk it after 3 years.

Anyway, last ditch effort will be to clean the muffler and replace the air filter. If that doesn't work, I'm ordering a new one from COSTCO.
At least I know that if that doesn't work out, I can take it back without issue.

Seriously should consider a rechargeable electric if you replace it. Considerably less hassle, lots less to go wrong and easier to fix if even required at all. Our house is on a lot that is 56 x 115' and it doesn't even go through 1 battery to do the perimeter of the house, all around the fence, the deck and the south walkway is grass and too narrow/uneven for the mower so I use it there too. It's also not even very heavy because the Li-ion batteries are pretty compact.

I got mine at Lowes 2 or 3 years ago. Has worked flawlessly since.

[73monte]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Seriously should consider a rechargeable electric if you replace it. Considerably less hassle, lots less to go wrong and easier to fix if even required at all. Our house is on a lot that is 56 x 115' and it doesn't even go through 1 battery to do the perimeter of the house, all around the fence, the deck and the south walkway is grass and too narrow/uneven for the mower so I use it there too. It's also not even very heavy because the Li-ion batteries are pretty compact.

I got mine at Lowes 2 or 3 years ago. Has worked flawlessly since.

I certainly respect your opinion on a rechargable, but I had a bad experience with one of those as well. Maybe I shouldn't own a trimmer at all?
I had a yardworks. It was really good at first, then the battery died. I bought another one, ($100), and CT gave me a $40 store credit. That one died in a year as well, and I kept it fully charged as recommended.
As I said, it did work pretty well, but doesn't even come close to the Stihl that I have.

[triniexr]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Don't get something low end. Seriously check out the Honda. I did a lot of research before getting a new trimmer. I had a weed eater gas trimmer and a yard works, both lasted a year. This Honda trimmer will probably last me forever lol. It low maintenance and no mixing fuel. You can put regular gas from the pump in it without mixing oil.

http://powerequipment.honda.ca/trimmers/hht25sl

[73monte]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Don't get something low end. Seriously check out the Honda. I did a lot of research before getting a new trimmer. I had a weed eater gas trimmer and a yard works, both lasted a year. This Honda trimmer will probably last me forever lol. It low maintenance and no mixing fuel. You can put regular gas from the pump in it without mixing oil.

http://powerequipment.honda.ca/trimmers/hht25sl

Sounds like a good one. Almost 4 bills though is a bit much for
me. Get what you pay for though I suppose.

[levendis]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

I don't want to jinx my gas weedeater but its a beast. Almost 16yrs.

Anyways, this will be on sale at CT starting tomorrow for $70 if you want to take a chance.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/yardworks-straight-shaft-20v-li-ion-cordless-grass-trimmer-10-in-0602293p.0602293.html

[nearace]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Seriously should consider a rechargeable electric if you replace it. Considerably less hassle, lots less to go wrong and easier to fix if even required at all. Our house is on a lot that is 56 x 115' and it doesn't even go through 1 battery to do the perimeter of the house, all around the fence, the deck and the south walkway is grass and too narrow/uneven for the mower so I use it there too. It's also not even very heavy because the Li-ion batteries are pretty compact.

I got mine at Lowes 2 or 3 years ago. Has worked flawlessly since.

I would go that way if Milwaukee made one.

[Playthru]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Have a Stihl gas trimmer. Until recently, it was very reliable in every way. Suddenly it just wouldn't start. Took it in for service where I bought it. 30 minute drive, they kept it for a week and charged me $40.

Took it home and it still won't start. Does the exact same thing. Starts on full choke, then dies, and won't start again.

So frustrating. I might take it back, but I'm mulling buying a new one. Might go to a 4 cycle.

Anyone out there that can relate to this problem?

I have a Stihl gas trimmer. I bought the same model that the contractors use as I was impressed with how well it worked. Have serviced it once in 6 years and runs well. I do find it noisy though and when I replace it will go with electric.

[ecgr2035]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

I certainly respect your opinion on a rechargable, but I had a bad experience with one of those as well. Maybe I shouldn't own a trimmer at all?
I had a yardworks. It was really good at first, then the battery died. I bought another one, ($100), and CT gave me a $40 store credit. That one died in a year as well, and I kept it fully charged as recommended.
As I said, it did work pretty well, but doesn't even come close to the Stihl that I have.

I have owned a cordless Ryobi trimmer for 4 seasons and the battery is still going strong. When did you last purchase a cordless electric trimmer? They have advanced considerably over the past few years. I'd like to get a more powerful one but my current Ryobi is still going strong.

Consumer Reports (CR) top-rated cordless trimmers rank right up there with the top-rated gas trimmers. CR rates the EGO brand very highly for string trimmers - along with EGO cordless electric lawn mowers.

[73monte]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Okay, another update on this dilemma,

I tried one more time to get it going today. It actually started. It burped with the choke closed, then ran really rough when I opened the choke. I let it just run for about 10 or 15 minutes. It smoothed out a little, and restarted fine.

It's still smoking a little, and the top speed seems slower. It also vibrates alot more than usual when idling. Other than those things, I'm ecstatic that it's working!!!

If it makes it through the rest of the season, I'll be even more ecstatic.

[bl8d]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Okay, another update on this dilemma,

I tried one more time to get it going today. It actually started. It burped with the choke closed, then ran really rough when I opened the choke. I let it just run for about 10 or 15 minutes. It smoothed out a little, and restarted fine.

It's still smoking a little, and the top speed seems slower. It also vibrates alot more than usual when idling. Other than those things, I'm ecstatic that it's working!!!

If it makes it through the rest of the season, I'll be even more ecstatic.

change the plug and close the gap to .020

[Marty Canuck]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

Okay, another update on this dilemma,

I tried one more time to get it going today. It actually started. It burped with the choke closed, then ran really rough when I opened the choke. I let it just run for about 10 or 15 minutes. It smoothed out a little, and restarted fine.

It's still smoking a little, and the top speed seems slower. It also vibrates alot more than usual when idling. Other than those things, I'm ecstatic that it's working!!!

If it makes it through the rest of the season, I'll be even more ecstatic.

Mmmm, excessive noise and air pollution!

Maybe too much oil in the gas (this is a 2 stroke isn't it?). Or for that matter is the gas fresh (if you said so earlier I don't recall) or is it leftover from last year? Old fuel gets stale if you don't put fuel conditioner in it.

[73monte]

Re: Gas trimmer rant

change the plug and close the gap to .020

Already changed the plug, why close the gap? Don't think I have a gapper anyway.