FS131R

[Bwcland]

Hello, my wife and I use FS131R and FS240R heavily on the property we live on and work on. Wife uses FS131R more often and machine needs help.
Machine purchased new few years ago and likely has couple thousand hours logged. Any advice or insight here great appreciated.

Could a bent drive shaft make the trimmer hard to start? The machine vibrates excessively when running. Have not changed the vibration damper insert part # 4180 791 9303 because the snap circlip inside needs a special snap ring length tool to get access in there I haven’t been able to find the tool yet to release the snap ring. I changed the rewind starter with a new replacement but did not help. Following the instructions at start with a short pull to coil then long pull the pull handle sticks and becomes hard to pull, too much for wife rips the handle out of her hands. When removing the rewind starter and rotate the starter cup by hand, notice it wobbles almost looks off center, and not rotate smooth. Could this mean bent drive shaft?

The second item is leaking fuel between carburetor and the engine is wet fuel. Hoses out of fuel tank look dry. The fuel line to engine part # 4180 141 8602 is wet. Can the gaskets wear with time and leak fuel?
Thank you.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Hello, my wife and I use FS131R and FS240R heavily on the property we live on and work on. Wife uses FS131R more often and machine needs help.
Machine purchased new few years ago and likely has couple thousand hours logged. Any advice or insight here great appreciated.

Could a bent drive shaft make the trimmer hard to start? The machine vibrates excessively when running. Have not changed the vibration damper insert part # 4180 791 9303 because the snap circlip inside needs a special snap ring length tool to get access in there I haven’t been able to find the tool yet to release the snap ring. I changed the rewind starter with a new replacement but did not help. Following the instructions at start with a short pull to coil then long pull the pull handle sticks and becomes hard to pull, too much for wife rips the handle out of her hands. When removing the rewind starter and rotate the starter cup by hand, notice it wobbles almost looks off center, and not rotate smooth. Could this mean bent drive shaft?

The second item is leaking fuel between carburetor and the engine is wet fuel. Hoses out of fuel tank look dry. The fuel line to engine part # 4180 141 8602 is wet. Can the gaskets wear with time and leak fuel?
Thank you.

If you have actually gotten around 2000 hours in 3 years out of a Stihl trimmer, consider buying a new, or low hour replacement, and keeping the older one for backup. That’s a lot of use in a short time. Lots of commercial guys will change out trimmers every 3-4 years.
Vibration should have nothing to do with how trimmer starts, just how it runs when you rev it out and causes vibration. Fuel leak is most likely lines or tank grommet. Be thankful for good equipment like Stihl because an off brand trimmer would have crapped out long before 2000 hours.

 

[StarTech]

With this number of hours the rockers for the valves will need adjusting. Requires special gauge tool. This 4180 engine does have an Automatic Compression Release and when rockers are too loose will cause high compression load at start ups.

The carb should be to be cleaned and rebuilt. Along with checking the fuel lines and the tank grommets for leakage.

To remove the snap ring on the clutch drum Stihl uses 0816 610 1495. Expensive but you can get a lower cost one from SawZilla. But double check your local Stihl dealer as they might be running a special on the tool. (doubt it)

Carburetor Repair Kit 4180 007 1035 from Stihl does not contain all the rebuild parts. But one from SawZilla does.
The Stihl kit is just the gaskets and diaphragms where the Proline kit has the needle valve.

Links to the above items.

Proline® Carburetor Kit For Stihl HT103 FS91 FS111 FS131 4180 007 1035

Shop now for direct OEM replacement aftermarket chainsaw and small engine parts. All major brands including Stihl, Husqvarna, Poulan, Honda, Echo, Homelite, Briggs & Stratton

sawzillaparts.com

Proline® Extra Long Snap Ring Circlip Pliers For Stihl Echo Husqvarna Trimmer 0816 610 1495

Shop now for direct OEM replacement aftermarket chainsaw and small engine parts. All major brands including Stihl, Husqvarna, Poulan, Honda, Echo, Homelite, Briggs & Stratton

sawzillaparts.com

As for the vibration it can be the drive shaft being slight bent or the square ends worn heavily. Usually if the square ends are worn the mating parts also need replacing. Slightly bent shafts can be flexed back straight.

Also make sure the clutch drum bearing is good if the whole assembly has to be replaced.

 

[StarTech]

Removing the clutch drum snap ring will not allow you to remove the rubber bushing.

Someone with the 4180 service manual needs to post the instructions.

 

[Bwcland]

Thank you much for the responses very helpful, really appreciate it. In reviewing our labor hours this FS131R machine has 5,283 hours on it. Yikes! No complaints, it has been a work horse and agree the brand makes reliable equipment. Up till now I’ve changed clutch 2x, few random parts and routine air filters, fuel filters, spark plug 3x, grease, replaced fixed head, and one valve adjustment.
Your help here tells me time for some real parts overhaul love before retiring it to be used as a back up. Thank you.

 

[Bwcland]

Anyone have the 4180 service manual for the instructions how to change the rubber insert bushing P# 4180 791 9303?
Thank you.

 

[Red Good]

Anyone else catch that the starter cup wobbles when turned by hand ?

 

[Fish]

Anyone have the 4180 service manual for the instructions how to change the rubber insert bushing P# 4180 791 9303?
Thank you.

Go to Stihl Chainsaw Fans on Facebook., and click on the files section. I have uploaded the manual there for download.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Go to Stihl Chainsaw Fans on Facebook., and click on the files section. I have uploaded the manual there for download.

Fish-
We don’t see you on here that much. How have things been going?

 

[Fish]

Fish-
We don’t see you on here that much. How have things been going?

Flooding here lately. Water didn't make it into the house luckily. Kentucky is wet right now. Otherwise fine I guess. I don't work on much anymore, so the newer stuff I cannot be of much help online, unless they are working on an oldie.