Stihl br400 trouble. HELP

[RYAN]

I just bought the thing in October and am already having trouble. Sometimes it will run perfectly fine a then other times it will start and run but when I give it gas it will stall out after a few seconds, If I choke it when it is dying I can kkeep it running but when I give it gas again it will die again. I have checked the spark arrester, fue, fuel filter, air filter, all seem to be ok, not sure whart else to do. I am ready to go to the store and get a new arrester , fuel and air filter and if that doesn't do it buy an Shindy backpack and move on. Any suggestions??:angry:

[casey]

Make sure the fuel filter is hanging to the bottem of the tank. I had the same proplem with mine because the gas wasn't getting to the fuel filter.

[mowin'man]

Check your carb, it could be sticking.

[geogunn]

I assume you have installed a new plug. my br-400 is five years in service and doing fine. it soes seem to be hard on plugs though.

GEO

[Avery]

We have five of them and all run fine. One crew even put diesel in one and it ran! Can't beat them in my opinion. If it is new take it back to the dealer to find the problem. Every brand will have a lemon once in a while.

[Grapevine]

Try the adjustments on the carb, it could just be running too lean or too rich. Have two of them and think they're the best.

[sdwally]

It sounds like a fuel problem to me. However I highly recommend not adjusting the screws on the carb. If you don't know what you're doing you can cause more damage than what you cure. If it is set too lean you can burn the piston and cylinder up! Most of the newer units have tamper resistance caps anyway, required in California to meet the EPA regulations. Most machines set the high idle screw by enginge rpm specs, if the engine exceeds this you will have increase perform for a SHORT period of time until the engine siezes! The other posts have good suggestions.
Another thing to check if the unit runs good for awhile after setting for a period of time or after a refuel, is the fuel cap. Most fuel caps have a vent hole and antileak parts. If the hole becomes plugged the tank will form a vacuum while the unit is running, thus causing the exact problem you state.

[lawnman_scott]

There are two orange idle screws, one for high and one for low, may want to try that, but keep track of where they were origannaly so you dont mess it up. also, there may be a little screen type thing somewhere on the muffler, its a pollution control devise. Your dealer can find it if you cant, that could be the problem too.

[David Gretzmier]

I know this is probably something you've checked, but mine did the same thing with bad gas. I mixed a fresh 2.5 gallons, drained the old and it ran fine. never had another problem besides starter cords. I've worn out two! Dave g

[RYAN]

Well I've tried all sorts of new gas, new plug, Cleaned out the carb last night which had some grass in it and when i was done it would not start at all. It would start and run for a second from starter fluid then die. I am lost. I am just about ready to fork over $450 for a Shin to put my mind at ease.:mad:

[Eric ELM]

If it will run with starting fluid, it has to be a gas problem. Don't try it with starting fluid much since there is no oil to lube up the cylinder walls. Instead of starting fluid, put a small amount of gas/oil mix in the carb through the breather hole.

You might have a small hole in a gas line and it's sucking air instead of gas.

[65hoss]

Its due to the EPA. All the regulations have caused the carbs to suck. New pair of hedge trimmers last fall and they needed a new carb before I got it home. New trimmer this year needed new carb. Old trimmer went in for carb rebuild. The shop couldn't get it right. Had to put a new one on. Point is this, Stihl's have a very touchy carb, you need to take it to the dealer. Its still under warrenty.

[AVRECON]

Sounds exactly like the problem that I had with mine and the only problem by the way. I'll bet you have a hole in the fuel line. Had my machine for 6 or 7 yr.s and other than the pull cord thats the only other trouble I've ever had with it.

[RYAN]

Well I think I got it figured out. There was a hole in the gas line and I noticed there was a crack in the spacer the carb connects to. I ordered a new spacer today and hopefully that will solve the problem. If not I will let you now. Thanks for all the help. Got better advise from you guys than I did the dealer. Thanks