Stihl flippy caps in the cold

[stihltech]

#1 issue-trying too hard after getting frustrated. Line up the marks.
#2 issue- not replacing the cap. They do get worn. Replace it.
#3 issue, overfill and forcing it in.

Yep, one operator will cuss them out from day one, one will wish they had them on all the saws.
Keep em clean.

 

[Sidecarflip]

On flippy caps, the only issue I've had was with the seals leaking and Stens has replacement caps and seals pretty cheap, much less that OEM. Most of my units aren't Stihl anyway so the caps are a minority here.

 

[Sidecarflip]

My cheap paint brush is always with me and I always use it to remove any debris from around the filler caps. Maybe that is why my fuel and oil filters never get clogged.,,,lol

 

[Okie]

Oldgrunt said:
Never peed on chainsaw caps but I have peed on 4x4 lockout hubs a few times to get them to turn when they got little ice in them.

Ever heard of "It's time to pee on the fire and call the dogs"
or
Pee into a carbide light (no water available)
I've pee'ed on Hi-Lift jacks when they were clogged with dirt and need'ed a lube.

Back to his question:
Can those flippy caps be replaced with regular screw on caps?

I've got a Stihl chainsaw that the flippy gas cap came open after I drop started the saw and it poured the gas down my britches leg, from the crotch down. Gasoline at the crotch area is not a good thing. I've had to fart around with both the oil and gas cap. I hope the guy that came up with that idea ears are burning constantly.

I dread even reaching for that saw because of the flippy caps. Really a shame when you have a good running saw with aggravating flippy caps. Makes Stihl get a bad rap. I just go ahead and use my Stihls with the screw on caps.

 

[muddy42]

I have learned to work with them but I am definitely not a fan. I've replaced 2 that leaked because other people have forced them. I can't see the point of them, I have never had a problem with the threaded caps.

 

[mudfly]

#1 issue-trying too hard after getting frustrated. Line up the marks.
#2 issue- not replacing the cap. They do get worn. Replace it.
#3 issue, overfill and forcing it in.

Yep, one operator will cuss them out from day one, one will wish they had them on all the saws.
Keep em clean.

#1. I was lining up the marks. It either would not turn, or wouldn't grab the threads.
#2. The saw has about 20 tanks, maybe less, on it. If the cap is already worn out that means it was a poor design.
#3. I filled it just like I always fill my other saws and never had this issue. Oil was not running down the outside of the saw, but was probably 1/4 inch below max capacity. I will say that based on what everyone is saying, that it was likely too full. As I have said, any of the other dozen or more saws that I have its not a problem to fill them right to the top or even over full. So call it a design quirk with the flippy caps. Call it a design flaw. Call it a learning curve. I've put hundreds of tanks of fuel and oil thru saws and never had an issue before this. The husky style flip caps sure seem like a lot better solution to me.

 

[Sidecarflip]

I believe that the threaded portion in the casting is a unique thread pattern so you cannot replace them with a conventional screw on cap. I might be wrong, but I don't believe so.

 

[pioneerguy600]

I believe that the threaded portion in the casting is a unique thread pattern so you cannot replace them with a conventional screw on cap. I might be wrong, but I don't believe so.

A regular threaded cap will not fit on the flippy cap saws but there is an after market cap setup that replaces the Stihl flippy cap with a type of threaded in cap, they have b. been out on the market for 8-10 years. Since I have not ever had a problem with the flippy caps I have not retrofitted them with any other device. Without going out into the cold to count the number of saws I have I cannot truthfully say how many have flippy caps compare to those that have screw in caps but there is enough of them, say a dozen with and two dozen without. The screw in oil tank caps usually need a tool to help with removal, screwdriver,scrench or any tool that fit in the cover slot, the flippy caps can be removed without a tool even with gloves on. Today is a flippy cap day, -13 and a bit brisk, thin knit work glove kind of day.