Nelson Ogden
New OPE Member
- Local time
- 11:51 AM
- User ID
- 9801
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2019
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- East Jordan, MI
A friend recently gave me a Japanese Stihl FS80RE trimmer (or brushcutter as Stihl called it). This is the old version with the TK slide carburetor. He hadn't used it in 15 years. I replaced the fuel pickup, fuel lines, primer bulb, carb gaskets, and both carb diaphragms. Also disassembled the carburetor as much as possible for a thorough cleaning. For cleaning, I sprayed every part with carb cleaner, plunged each passage with a fine wire, and carefully blew out with compressed air.
After doing all of that, it starts easily but won't stay running. I went back through the fuel system, checked all of my work. Also disassembled the carb, re-cleaned, and this time, I removed the adjustment needles during cleaning. I was very careful to note how far out they were so I could put them back in the same spot since presumably, the adjustments haven't been touched since last time it was running. Still have the same problem.
I did notice that if I keep pushing the primer bulb once the motor is running, it will stay running longer. Seems like the carb just isn't drawing fuel in properly.
I was careful to install the fuel pump diaphragm in the proper order according to the illustrated parts list as follows: outer housing/shell -> diaphragm -> gasket -> inner housing/shell. Also made sure the tiny o-rings between the fuel pump and carb body are in place.
Anything else I should check?
After doing all of that, it starts easily but won't stay running. I went back through the fuel system, checked all of my work. Also disassembled the carb, re-cleaned, and this time, I removed the adjustment needles during cleaning. I was very careful to note how far out they were so I could put them back in the same spot since presumably, the adjustments haven't been touched since last time it was running. Still have the same problem.
I did notice that if I keep pushing the primer bulb once the motor is running, it will stay running longer. Seems like the carb just isn't drawing fuel in properly.
I was careful to install the fuel pump diaphragm in the proper order according to the illustrated parts list as follows: outer housing/shell -> diaphragm -> gasket -> inner housing/shell. Also made sure the tiny o-rings between the fuel pump and carb body are in place.
Anything else I should check?