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Stihl BR400 starts but dies

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johng87

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
just picked up a stihl BR400. It was drained of gas when i got it, so i mixed up fresh, replaced spark plug with NGK, and checked all throttle linkages and the cutoff switch.

So i have gotten to the point, after cleaning everything, that the blower will fire up on the third pull (while choked). releasing the choke will have the engine fire into life, then only to sputter out quickly and die, with no saving it.

My question is this: Having taken the carb off, I know the gasket was pretty shot, and it will have to be replaced, could this be my only problem? I was thinking also to replace the fuel line, as there was a small puncture in the line within the tank.

What do you guys think?

-John
 
#3 ·
pull the spark arrester out of the muffler. maybe it is stopped up.
 
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#4 ·
johng87 said:
just picked up a stihl BR400. It was drained of gas when i got it, so i mixed up fresh, replaced spark plug with NGK, and checked all throttle linkages and the cutoff switch.

So i have gotten to the point, after cleaning everything, that the blower will fire up on the third pull (while choked). releasing the choke will have the engine fire into life, then only to sputter out quickly and die, with no saving it.

My question is this: Having taken the carb off, I know the gasket was pretty shot, and it will have to be replaced, could this be my only problem? I was thinking also to replace the fuel line, as there was a small puncture in the line within the tank.

What do you guys think?

-John
Click to expand...
It is the fuel line. If you get even a small hole in it it will lose vacuum as well as possibly leak depending on where the hole is in the line.
 
#7 ·
If your BR400 is starting and then immediately dying, it is a fuel delivery problem. Since it is a BR400, it is ancient considering how many newer versions of blowers Stihl has come out with since that one was sold. Take a look at the crank seals. If there is a lot of grease in that area, you may need to replace the crank seals. There are screws that fasten the cylinder to the crankcase and they were known to come loose. Check them and make sure they are tight. Aside from that, I would replace all of the fuel lines, the fuel filter, and the carb. Do not even try to use a Chinese carb. Use a genuine Stihl carb and make sure you use new gaskets. There is also a rubber flange between the carb and the cylinder that may need to be replaced. You can see how all of the parts go together at this website. Stihl BR 400 Backpack Blower (BR 400) Parts Diagram, C-Air filter
 
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