Stihl BG85 handheld blower. Help Please!

[luckydooley]

I've had the BG85 about three months now. Not to much use on it. Well after it warms up for the day, it becomes extremely hard to start, and will only idle. When I try to rev the throttle it dies. Gas is good, mixed properly. I have replaced the spark plug and air filter. No change. It will not run properly again until letting it cool down for several hours. Which does not exactly lend itself to use on a tight route. Once I get it running it seems fine. I am at wits end. Any suggestion? Thanks!

[topsites]

That is so easy, see if it's under warranty you take it to the dealer.

[jahbp]

adjust the high idle on top of carb

[PHS]

I have a BG55 that does the same thing. Drives me nuts. I fiddled with the carb adjustments quite a bit and it runs better but I'm still not all that happy with it. When you finally get it going it runs like a top.

[luckydooley]

Thanks guys. I have adjusted idle settings it now appears to be working better, but the real test will be tomorrow after using in the field!

I am normally quick to return malfunctiong purchases under warranty, however this is the only blower I currently own, which is needed on a daily basis, and I have a funny feeling it will not be in and out experience at the dealer. I am not on the "big dog" list yet having only spent a mere $8-10k or so there.

I am also not currently in a position to buy a new/back-up blower unless absolultey mandatory. Tryin to work with what I got right now. I guess thats the plight of being poor!

[john_incircuit]

I've had the BG85 about three months now. Not to much use on it. Well after it warms up for the day, it becomes extremely hard to start, and will only idle. When I try to rev the throttle it dies....


Had the exact same problem with our 85 SH. Dealer had it 3 times, finally replaced the carburetor. It is OK now, but don't use it much any longer, as the shredder / vacuum is a pain to operate ...

[LawnBrother]

This is a common and well known problem with the BG 85, even if the dealer plays dumb. I was told the problem is caused by a faulty welch plug in the carb. I had mine in for repair for this under warranty. They tried to tell me it was fine and blah blah blah....
Don't take no for an answer, make them FIX it! Mine had the carb replaced but is still hard to start when warm. Not as bad as it was, though. My bg85 sits on a shelf unless I need to clean out a gutter.

[specialtylc]

That is so easy, see if it's under warranty you take it to the dealer.


If its over 90 days the warranty is up.

[echo8287]

Only problem I've ever had with mine is the gas pickup line split causing it to crank up run a little and quit, and once replaced it has always run pretty good. David

[lawnboy858]

To warm up the blower do you go from Full choke, to half, then no choke?

[Roger]

I have had a BG85 blower for a few years. One of the biggest problems has been, what I will call "flame out." By that, I mean after it gets started, the throttle response often results in the engine dying out. Easy feathering may bring it up to full speed, sometimes not.

At the risk of opening a can of worms, my blower has stopped that behavior. It starts easily (often with one pull, if I get the choke reset quickly enough), and the throttle response is sure and certain, even at cold temperatures. What did I change? I'm glad you asked that question.

The answer to the question is change of fuel mixtures. I had been running 50:1 or 80:1 with brand X. I took advantage of Amsoil's offer of an 8 oz bottle, and tried two different mixtures. The 50:1 mix did not work very well. The 80:1 mix works very well -- easy start, sure and quick throttle response. I have been running 80:1 Amsoil now for about two months, and the behavior has been the best since I've owned the blower.

As a side note, I'm also running the same mix in my Stihl FS85 and FC85, with comparable behaviors -- best starting in years, good throttle response, no smoke (could care less about the odor).

Maybe my findings will not transfer to another Stihl owner -- I'm just reporting my observations.

[luckydooley]

To warm up the blower do you go from Full choke, to half, then no choke?

I only use the choke when needed. Most of time blower will not start on choke.
I pull cord once in choke position then move to run and it starts. Amount of time it is allowed to warm up does not appear to make a difference. I adjusted the carb settings today and it appears to run better. We will find out for sure tomorrow.

I have had a BG85 blower for a few years. One of the biggest problems has been, what I will call "flame out." By that, I mean after it gets started, the throttle response often results in the engine dying out. Easy feathering may bring it up to full speed, sometimes not.

At the risk of opening a can of worms, my blower has stopped that behavior. It starts easily (often with one pull, if I get the choke reset quickly enough), and the throttle response is sure and certain, even at cold temperatures. What did I change? I'm glad you asked that question.

The answer to the question is change of fuel mixtures. I had been running 50:1 or 80:1 with brand X. I took advantage of Amsoil's offer of an 8 oz bottle, and tried two different mixtures. The 50:1 mix did not work very well. The 80:1 mix works very well -- easy start, sure and quick throttle response. I have been running 80:1 Amsoil now for about two months, and the behavior has been the best since I've owned the blower.

As a side note, I'm also running the same mix in my Stihl FS85 and FC85, with comparable behaviors -- best starting in years, good throttle response, no smoke (could care less about the odor).

Maybe my findings will not transfer to another Stihl owner -- I'm just reporting my observations.

Very interesting, one of the things I noticed while trying to diagnose the problem was that the old air filter was saturated with oil. When I presented this observation to a local dealer/technician he suggested I may be running my gas/oil mix to rich. I mix it exactly per the specs on the stihl oil mix bottle, one 2gallon bottle mix to two gallons of gas.

I just may have to try this amsoil.

[AmsoilPower]

I just may have to try this amsoil.


PM or email me your name and shipping address and I will send you a sample.

[Australian Mower Man]

In Australia, many Sthil's have had trouble with coil's. they break up internaly and will not allow the engine to rev

[echo8287]

"To warm up the blower do you go from Full choke, to half, then no choke?"

I pump up the bulb about 10 times, put it on choke and pull the rope,usually about twice and it will try to start >then open the choke imediately and throttle it a bit and its running. its started this way since it was new. It is about 6 years old.David

[Lawnut101]

Here's what I do to start mine up.

1. Prime 4-6 times, flip on switch
2. Turn choke on, pull rope. It will sputter but not start.
3. Turn choke on half. Pull rope, hold down throttle.
4. Turn choke off, and hold down throttle until it runs.

Try this once. Good luck

[Mickhippy]

This is gonna sound pretty rough but keep it wrapped in something, like a towel in between jobs. Just need to keep the sun off it.
Or when you get to a job, place it in the shade somewhere so it cools down. Will need a while though!
I was told its vapor lock but haven't been told how to stop it.
Ive had 2 BG85's do this to me now, they've been to dealers and never been fixed.. I still have one that blows out the shop and it works perfectly because it never sees the sun!

Its a pitty, they a fantastic blowers when they work! Never again though!

[luckydooley]

This is gonna sound pretty rough but keep it wrapped in something, like a towel in between jobs. Just need to keep the sun off it.
Or when you get to a job, place it in the shade somewhere so it cools down. Will need a while though!
I was told its vapor lock but haven't been told how to stop it.
Ive had 2 BG85's do this to me now, they've been to dealers and never been fixed.. I still have one that blows out the shop and it works perfectly because it never sees the sun!

Its a pitty, they a fantastic blowers when they work! Never again though!

That is great advice! And it does seem that the heat seems to be the problem, since it starts fine every morning, and after about five lawns I cant seem to start it if my life depended on it. Only one problem, its kept in an enclosed trailer! It only sees the light of day when it is being put to work. I have the landscaper package on my trailer with the ventilation system, but as the temps rise some of my other equipment seems to be getting harder to start, although nothing near as bad as the BG85.

[B&A lawn care]

Wow, I am feling lucky now:cool2:

We have owned a BG85 for two years and it starts on pull #3 the first start of the day and on pull one for the rest of the day no matter if just shut of or been sitting for hours.

[Roger]

...

... it starts on pull #3 the first start of the day and on pull one for the rest of the day no matter if just shut of or been sitting for hours.

I agree with this assessment. All my Stihl handheld equipment has been starting this way this season, ... after I started using Amsoil 80:1 fuel mix. The starting patterns were not this way with 50:1 mix. So far, this is the best season for all my Stihl gear with respect to starting and operating. We have not yet hit the hot days, so I will reserve further assessments when the temps hit 90 or more.

[Mickhippy]

That is great advice! And it does seem that the heat seems to be the problem, since it starts fine every morning, and after about five lawns I cant seem to start it if my life depended on it. Only one problem, its kept in an enclosed trailer! It only sees the light of day when it is being put to work. I have the landscaper package on my trailer with the ventilation system, but as the temps rise some of my other equipment seems to be getting harder to start, although nothing near as bad as the BG85.

If its not out in the sun I'd say theres some other problem with it!
Try wrapping it in a wet towel to keep it cool in the trailer, see how that goes!

Thing is, this has been a problem for years and Stihl really should of looked into it long ago!

[B&A lawn care]

I agree with this assessment. All my Stihl handheld equipment has been starting this way this season, ... after I started using Amsoil 80:1 fuel mix. The starting patterns were not this way with 50:1 mix. So far, this is the best season for all my Stihl gear with respect to starting and operating. We have not yet hit the hot days, so I will reserve further assessments when the temps hit 90 or more.

Not sure if it makes any differance but we run Stihls syntetic, "ultra" I think it is called because it is required for our FS110 4-mix trimmers. Since I dont like to have different fuels around to keep track of we run the ultra in everything and noticed that our saws start up quicker than with the old blue smoke oils. As a side note when you thin out your mixing oil ratio another thing happens that most dont realize, you richen the mixture. Could be your carb was set too lean from the factory?

[Ridin' Around]

Not sure if it makes any differance but we run Stihls syntetic, "ultra" I think it is called because it is required for our FS110 4-mix trimmers. Since I dont like to have different fuels around to keep track of we run the ultra in everything and noticed that our saws start up quicker than with the old blue smoke oils. As a side note when you thin out your mixing oil ratio another thing happens that most dont realize, you richen the mixture. Could be your carb was set too lean from the factory?

Carbs set lean from the factory are not an accident nor are they rare. They are having to keep settings on the lean side to meet emission requirements. Only a short while ago, carbs could be adjusted by techs when sold and make up for this now some carbs are w/o adjustment. So maybe some research and replacement with an older adjustable carb could make a diiference for you also. The fixed jet (non adj) carbs have been very troublesome for alot of techs also.