Stihl fuel line tool oem amzn.to/3d63Y6k What’s up guys today we are going to talk about the stihl 4mix engine in the most common issues that I see with this engine technology, we will go through the fuel system the valves and adjustments will talk about the camshaft and why they fail, like I said in the end of the video I am not knocking this little engine this is a great little engine when it’s running and not being abused, abuse is the most common issue of any manufacture, let me know in the comments if you own a shop or a landscaper, let me know if you’re experiencing sabotaging equipment, I will link the steel fuel line grabber in the comments and right here in the description so look for that link and remember that the links that I post do not cost you one dime extra not even one penny extra to use my links to purchase items through Amazon or eBay or even Walmart when you do click on those items it helps the channel out tremendously and I appreciate each and everyone and invite you to check out my store on Amazon, the links are provided above thank you and have a great day
Appearance n function or half a brain says valves cams n pushrods are for straight gas smfh can u get 2cycle n bam vs 4 fkn times round then bam? If not lol hope ya well
Regardless of whether it’s commercial or residential use, these machines shouldn’t be neglected like this. My KM130R is 13 years old. It sees about 75 to 100 hours per year of use. It’s not a commercially used tool, but it’s pushing 1000 hrs. I had to replace the carb this year, otherwise, it runs like new. When I could still get Stihl Ultra oil, I would mix it with premium gas and use that in my 4mix. Now that I can’t buy that oil, I use motomix pre-mixed fuel. My carb is also set a lot richer than what they come set from the dealership. I think that’s the biggest reason the 4mix engine burn themselves out and aren’t lasting for some people. I’d rather spend more money on fuel than costly repairs.
Break ones heart to see the abuse and no maintenance on expensive equipment. Might as well buy Chinese, use it,and get another one next year; all because they're too lazy to work. Good video on 4mix engine. I've had a KM 130 since 2011,and no issues with the cam shaft.
Great channel, I'm retired now but like the old saying goes if I knew what I know now by watching your videos back when I had to do my own yard work and repair. My grandchildren would never know their grandfather could swear :-) You're the Swiss watch maker of the small engine world .
Please continue these 4 mix videos. I love my stihl trimmers, and knowing how to make repairs is invaluable! I have two trimmers that need work, and I think you may have lead me towards repairing both of them. Sounds like I need a new clutch spring in my KM130 power head. I have an edger attachment on it, and the edger blade wont stop turning when down at idle.
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 perfect! I didnt realize you had them all grouped in one playlist. Im all over that. TY and have a happy holiday as well. I have a small lawn biz, and keeping equipment running/making DIY repairs is essential to keeping expenses down. My time is cheaper this time of year/off season to fix these items. I really appreciate your 4 mix videos for sure, and the tools necessary to fix them.
Thanks for the information buddy. If I caught one of my employees intentionally pouring water into a fuel tank so they didn't have to use that piece of equipment or work they wouldn't be working for me any longer I can promise you that. I'M pretty good about maintenance on all my equipment. The only issue I have with stihl is my FS94R trimmers these are the only trimmers I have ever had clutch issues with. My guys will not leave the guards on them and they do run the line a little long but not any longer than we have on any other trimmer and the FS94R is the only trimmer we have to replace the clutches in. My guys don't even like to use them anymore because of this.
I saw the same stuff at my last job the workers destroyed equipment and just dropped it off to the mechanics shop to get fixed.If they paid for the equipment on their own im sure it would be a different story
I got a fs110 and y take care of it And it works like a new A carb kit each year 20$ Im in Québec so it's a bit expensive. Use clean gaz and good oil Run machine full throttle all day Never had issues with it. Use blade for wood many times And cutting grass for many hours And stihl works fine 😁 Thanks for your advice. While i did my carb last year I noticed that the tank vent was clogged and pop it open Didn't see anything wrong but Passed a blast of air with compressed air and it was venting like it should. Nice Chanel
Very informative. Easy to follow and understand instruction. You have provided very good advice on how to care for the engine. I enjoy your videos. Thankyou Sir.
In use clear plastic container to view fuel. Pour into a larger container to make it easier to dump the fuel, then use a funnel and put it into a clear plastic container. It can be viewed very easy and taking vid or pic is easy peasy! For disposing I use a burn off bucket.
Great videos and knowledge, i have but? i am a mechanic and think, as a tradesman u should advocate cleaning the engines and external parts before a teardown , so that beginners or home dyi understand the need for keeping they're machines clean( especially when repairing and or general maintenance) , looking forward to more of ur your knowledge on small engines
Facinating points. Been needing to tweak the valves on my fs110r every 30-40 hours. Sounds like I may need to replace that cam. It’s had a hard Life running without a guard and often with a trimmer blade. No idea how many hundred hours on it though. Thanks for the tips
Thats always the biggest issues most people dont do there maintenance just getting them to change the fuel is a huge deal i find its still the biggest issue most issues can be sorted with a new plug and fresh fuel using old fuel it either wont go or it cooks the engine as the fuel can separates if sitting to long i am finding that more people are returning there machinery for servicing more frequently these days.people are living busy lives and dont take the time to service equipment .No different really from vehicles checking water and oil and antifreeze it needs also to be done regularly. .
How do you determine that it's water in the fuel tank and not just separation of the fuel components and fuel oil mix? Ethanol fuel can separate out.. I always give it a good shake to mix it up. Good detailed break down of components.
@@NewVisionLCS Stihl didn’t have a stratified 2-stroke design in order to meet tightening emissions. Redmax owned the patent on stratified 2-stroke technology which is why Husquvarna paid an exorbitant amount to purchase Redmax several years ago. Not sure why Stihl couldn’t have added catalytic converters to their existing 2-strokes but they went with the 4-Mix . I purchased one when they were new to the market but didn’t keep it much more than a year. They’re just not for me.
@@prevost8686 I'm an Echo guy, but was looking at trying a Stihl, but this 4 mix stuff just turns me off. Plastic gears, valve adjustments all for what, emissions? I don't have emissions concerns here in GA. I'll stick with a simple 2 stroke!
I get it that the low RPM torque is good on these engines....but I can't figure this emissions argument: Same fuel as a 2-stroke... Does it burn it more efficiently?...less smoke = less pollutants or what? And I don't care much for that decompression system either..... A bit like the Briggs & Stratton idea...way too flimsy. As for the plastic cam...words fail me!
You can bet Stihl Is watching this and reading the comments. Like you said if you use is as intended with the cutter guard and regular maintenance, it's a good machine. The real test is in the field. Perhaps Stihl should have built it with additional abuse factor.
Neat little tool, but I had aready made my own with a piece of hanger wire with a "J" end and the other end fitted with crimped on small spring loaded clip. I don't buy 4 MIX tools as a means to avoid this.
I been using non oem bearings from a bearing supplier for the trimmer head, it seems like they last the same as the oems, but way cheaper. Working on a fs250 trimmer now, clutch problems, the clutch wont engauge because of rust. thanks again for the video
Hey man. I have the problem described in no3. I have already repaced the tank vent before watching this video but yet it still doesn’t wanna stay running like you say time varies on tank fullness. Any other ideas cheers
I know some people do savatage the machine but 90 % of the time its buying gas from mom and pop stores they don't get rid of water out there tanks because of cost
What's your options on the fs 240r 2 pumper and fs131r 4mix I just replace my 2 very old fs 85 that were in for years and year of abuse I'm beginning to think the 131r won't be lasting as long as the Ole fs85 please tell me I'm wrong.
An old trimmer like that is better to just buy a new one unless you can fix it yourself. No point in paying for parts and someone to fix it when all the parts are getting to the point of failure. They will last a long time with a little maintenance.
In the throw it away world it's no wonder that nothing is taken care of! Those that operate their life by consuming with no thought of consequences of their choice will find out to late in their life that doing this is a mistake of epic proportions! The not taking care of things comes from how they are raised! The gimme gimme everything at any cost type of people.
I get it that the low RPM torque is good on these engines....but I can't figure this emissions argument: Same fuel as a 2-stroke... Does it burn it more efficiently?...less smoke = less pollutants or what? And I don't care much for that decompression system either..... A bit like the Briggs & Stratton idea...way too flimsy. As for the plastic cam...words fail me!
The emissions on the four mix engines are much lower than a traditional two stroke. The fuel mixture is completely burned before the exhaust valve opens. Traditional two strokes a good portion fuel goes right out the exhaust before its ever burned because they use ports. Not really a fan of the four mix engines but this what you get when the EPA put the squeeze on the manufactures.
Where's the starting point. For H and L adjustment for these 4mix? I've read anywhere from 1½ to 3½ turns out for H. I'm afraid it's to lean. It's runnin great. But for how long?? I'm gonna kick myself in the asss if I blow it up. I've got an FS131R. About 1¾ turns out on H Is this to lean. Please help!
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 I don't have a tach. Typical 2 stroke you can do by ear. These aren't as easy the window at which it runs well is just so wide. To find the middle then favor rich is difficult. I've measured the depth of the H screws on my nephews and another one at work both also 131R. And it's seems ive actually got it a smidge rich in comparison. Is there an inexpensive tach you would recommend? The one linked in one of your vids isn't avaliable
Id take echo or husqvarna over a stihl used stihl before plenty of power but overpriced not comfortable not as reliable and requires more strengh to start echo or husqvarna any day
I'm slowly but surely coming to the same conclusion: Not seen any Echo machines here yet, but the Husqvarna machines seem all-round better quality. (Less of the Chinese parts....Mmm?)
You couldn't have found a clean glass jar to dump the fuel into so we could verify your gibberish about water contaminated fuel? ...And then you trumpet the fact you're going to illegally dispose of waste fuel. Not the brightest bulb, are you?
Like the channel, but gave this one a thumbs-down. The title seems to imply there is an inherent problem with the 4-Mix engines. Perhaps there is, maybe there isn't. Most of the evidence presented seems to point to operator error. Currently have three 4-Mix, and two of the traditional 2-stroke Stihl implements. Prefer my 4-Mixers. The content is relevant, but probably would have chosen a different title. Thanks.
Sorry that your inexperienced eye cannot see the value in this informative video. Engine issues are different between regions. Thanks for the thumbs down. RU-vid sees it as engagement wether good or bad. Thanks for watching and have a nice day. RU-vid etiquette has left the building with your comment. Do better sir
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 The thumbs down was earned due to the title, rather than the content. Thought this was made clear. Click bait, pure & simple. The observation was heart-felt, and the reply was mean-spirited. Please consider developing a thicker skin.
trappn: THEMOWERMEDIC was giving us all the benefit of his experience with this particular engine design..... and from what I gleaned, he has a wider experience than many others commenting here. Including you, sir. Personally... it is only today that I have learned of the existence of these rather quirky engines..... they are yet to appear in this country, at least amongst my neighbours.... whose 2 strokes I repair on a regular basis. The information I have absorbed since watching several videos from TMM has been invaluable. As for "Click Bait"...(why do critics repeatedly trot out that rather a lame excuse.....?) Not Click bait at all. It does what it says: 5 common problems with the 4-mix..... And he explained all five. The carbs are crap...(as they are on many Stihl products) The plastic cam is a disaster waiting to happen.... The decompression system: Ditto. The Centrifugal clutch is poorly designed.....And all of these potential failures are aggravated by owners not getting the mix ratio right.... Absolutely critical on this engine. I rather think it is you who needs to develop a thicker skin.
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 Your knowledge of the 4 mix engine is greater than Sthils engineers.. I want to use a 4-mix type engine on project... A. I would love your opinion of the three engine options I have narrowed in on... 1. Sthil KM 130- 2- Shindowa T254 (hybrid) and the 3. Honda GX35. Can you share you expertise with me ,please.?. B. Is there a different brand or model you would suggest...? C. 35- 50cc, 4 stroke,
I have more abused sthil equipment that was destroyed by the operator..I've had to literally disassemble the machine to prove it to the owner at his expense..so now he needs a new weed eater..i could give classes to these operators but they are not interested they just want to get it and go..ok..so be it..I'll fix them as long as they can be fixed..that's all i can do.. See you on the next one Cheers 🍻🍻🍻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Ah... Rodney... Owner-operators of these machines are cast from the same pattern block. (There, I have avoided the conflict of spelling the word! Mould-v-Mold.) Year in...Year out... I tell them: Drain the fuel and run it until it dies.... Don't use fuel left over from last season..... etc etc.... Waste of breath. They all turn up in spring with the same whine: "It won't start/run properly." Grrrrrrr.... But hey...let's count the $$$$! It's the least we can do.
@@patagualianmostly7437 was considering getting a fs131r but not anymore. Was willing to live with having to adjust the valves but $500 for a shitty plastic cam gear stihl can GTFO
I have a 4 mix pole pruner bought in 2005. It starts and runs very will, after all this time. 17 years is pretty amazing. I use it to trim larger limbs and also to get into thick juniper and mesquite to cut enough lower branches to get at the trunk with a chainsaw.
I'd probably start with a cleaning demonstration. Also that fuel was dirty maybe due to the operator using a funnel out of the truck to fill it up with.
Very well explained, you are exactly right, however i have a 4 stroke craftsman that you dont mix and it takes like 4 oz oil the main thing that kills them is overfill the oil... it dont make sense to have to mix the gas and oil on 4 strokes bit its a fact and the people that say you dont mix 4 stroke makes me wish i had a small engine shop.. you seem to be an excellent mechanic
I'll have to check that plastic cam then... as for the Zarma carbys... they are $180 from stihl here 🤢...I bought a cheap knock off for $50 and it seems alright tho
Just had it happen with a Toro Power Buggy. They cut the hydraulic line then fixed it with a hose clamp . They wound up locking up the transmission. Tomorrow’s project..
yep well said guy one came in the guy hit a boulder while using cutting blade break g/box bent blade and broken drive shaft stihl fs 450,just because the guy did not want to work
I like your videos you have teach me a lot of things I have a 4 mix f.s 110 it does a. Clanking sound when I pull on the recoil rope can tell me what is that sound please
I have one that absolutely refuses to start…new carb, good coil, valves adjusted, hoses good….I cannot figure it out. I’ll check some of the random stuff you mentioned! Thanks for some legit and well explained info! I just pulled the cyl to decarbon the head and I lapped the valves while is was there…we shall see. It’s been well taken care of but damned if I can solve this one, it’s a battle….I did find that stihl used way too much rtv on assembly and a decent chunk found it’s way to the impulse nipple, that was a tough one, happened to hit it with a flashlight and noticed it. The war wages on!
I'm beating my head trying to find the compression relief mechanism on a Troy bilt 4 mix engine. Cam is metal nothing I can find would cause compression release during starting. What am I missing?
Great video & very useful info. Trouble is workmen won't 'surrender' their tools for preventative maintenance, they wait till they fail completely and can't squeeze a second more work from them.. Drives me crazy ..
I think you may have solved my issue with my 110 trimmer. When it is cold it really bogs and does not rev up at all. But if I work it running poorly it will clear itself in 10 min and works perfectly. What I have been doing is starting it 10 minutes before I need it and it quickly wakes up. This is weird and I have run a lot of small engines mostly chainsaws. After your explanation of the decompression hidden in the cam gear, I do believe this my be sticking in the decompression mode. Have you ever experienced this on a 4 mix? Decompression staying activated after start up?
The ZIMA carb is notorious for having clogged orifices next to impossible to clean out. Way easier to just buy new. 'There is a reason many today buy battery powered weed eaters. Way easier to deal with, PERIOD.
Hey I have a question for you about that fuel tank... At 2:20 you're zoomed in on it and do you see on top of the fuel tank where the two lines connect? That little round plate looks like that's removable somehow. Is that sonic-welded (e.g. not removable) or can that be removed if, for example the piece of fuel line inside was cracked and needed to be replaced? I'm having to replace the fuel filter on my unit (just part of regular service) and was thinking that if there's a way to remove that, it would be nice because then I can inspect that piece of line in there and also it's easier to get at the filter than trying to stick something in the fuel tank to fish out that filter. Thanks!
