FS55 Gas Leak

[boilerhouse47]

Hi, I have a FS55 Stihl line trimmer and it has developed a gas leak where the gas line assembly enters the top of the gas tank. If you shake the trimmer you can see the gas bubble out of the tank where the lines enter the top, pumping the primer bulb makes it run out quiet a bit more.
1. Can you tip the gas tank to the side after removing the one screw near the top of the tank and gain access to the hoses or do you need to remove the clutch cover and then the gas tank?.
2. I store my trimmer in the basement during the winter and the wood stove keeps the humidity extremely low,. and the smaller gas line of the two is showing signs of cracking and dry rot. Would I be better off leaving my trimmer and chainsaws in my unheated garage over the winter or is this dry rot more from age than low humidity? ( new in 6-10-02 )
Carl

 

[Fish]

Your fuel line is likely black in color and has 5,000 cracks in it. These trimmers had very crappy fuel lines, and I am surprised that your trimmer has lasted this long. It can be removed by just removing the air filter cover
and plucking it up and out, it is easier removing the carb and pulling it out,
as the carb is likely full of dirt from these cracks.
BTW, this repair should still be covered under a warranty/recall, as Stihl
finally came to face the reality of their crap fuel lines, I will see if I can scare up the bulletin no., and your local dealer should take care of it with some prodding, and yor new fuel line will be a bright green one.

 

[boilerhouse47]

black line

Thanks Fish, yes it does have black fuel lines, it looks like two different lines going into the top of the tank. The bigger of the two looks fine, it's just the smaller one that has started to crack, neither line seems to leak, the gas comes out where they enter the top of the tank. I never did receive a recall on this trimmer. I'll watch for your post and then head for my dealer to see if they will repair it, if not I will try it myself. The trimmer starts and runs fine, so I'm hoping I caught it in time.
Carl

 

[Just Mow]

Take it to your dealer for warranty replacement.
What Fish did not explain about this (crap) line was that during the period every manufacturer was scrambling to fix the (crap) line. Was a big problem during it's time.

 

[Lakeside53]

Unless you document all 5013 cracks, you'll have to pay

 

[Just Mow]

Unless you document all 5013 cracks, you'll have to pay

:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[boilerhouse47]

repair

Fish, thank you again for the info, I sent Stihl an e-mail about my FS55 and with in 2 1/2 hours I had a return e-mail and a phone call from North East Stihl. They will repair it at no charge.
Lakeside, it only had 4998 cracks so it was fully covered under warranty!
Carl

 

[Just Mow]

Fish, thank you again for the info, I sent Stihl an e-mail about my FS55 and with in 2 1/2 hours I had a return e-mail and a phone call from North East Stihl. They will repair it at no charge.
Lakeside, it only had 4998 cracks so it was fully covered under warranty!
Carl

see, that wasnt too hard to do.................

 

[Lakeside53]

Try that with a three year old poulan or homelite fuel hose.:hmm3grin2orange: