Stihl weed eater

[eigoya]

Two year old weed eater losing power. Took to garden exchange twice but they just cleaned it, three weeks later, same. Been on YouTube but not so helpful (can't find make exactly so directions aren't precise) really want to figure out how to fix. Any small engine repairs to recommend?

[VancouverIslander]

For three weeks after cleaning it was fine? Clean it again.

[Tink]

Make sure air filter is clean. They plug up fast. Keep grease points lubed on shaft and spool head.

Community begins with Aloha

[steve1]

What kind of gas are you using? Gas with alcohol mixed in (most Hawaii gas) can be bad for some engines and also can dissolve gaskets and fuel tanks not specifically made to tolerate ethanol.

Also, is your gas possibly old? After a month or 2 starts smelling more like varnish and it is actually coating and clogging your fuel lines and small tubes.

Best to use fresh gas and also real gas without ethanol. HFN has it and Mountain View store I believe. Probably some other places too. Most fishing boats require real gas so they don't stall and get disabled at sea.

I always mix a fuel stabilizer into my small engine gas containers and only buy maybe a month's worth at a time. If it starts to get too old I just dump it in my 92 Toyota and get some more fresh gas.

[eigoya]

Just brought it back from another cleaning. You tube didn't help with my model. Still not much power. Use ethanol free mixed with that little bottle that turns the mixture light blue. It does or can sit for days or a week. Probably only weed eat 2 hours a week over two or three days. Takes a month or three weeks to finish a tank. So in fact it loses power after only a few hours of use. Maybe every tank. Is that normal? I had one for years before without taking it in (maybe we cleaned it ourselves then)....frustrating

[Tink]

Yes, little bottle is for one gallon of ethanol free gas. Fuel should last 4-6 months if kept sealed. Should work fine. What model Stihl do you have? Are you using a heavier string, or cutting blades?

Community begins with Aloha

[kalakoa]

Ethanol-free every time + your favorite premix (lately this is the Lucas synthetic).

I've had the "loses power after a few hours" (but works fine after it cools down), turned out to be a bad high-voltage coil.

[eigoya]

Yes, it is the thickest gauge string. Does that make it turn slower? It is an FS56RC

[kalakoa]

Don't know for model numbers.

My 25cc is definitely slower with .155 string, but the larger string wears better than the .130, if that helps.