FS45 Strimmer Leak ???

[burnerboy]

Having recently overhauled my strimmer I have noticed that if I run it for a while I leave it I get a tiny amount of fluid either pooling on top of or dribbling down the side of the fuel tank.

It is red in color but I cant tell if its fuel or perhaps over eagerness with the air filter spray after cleaning it which is red and smells similar to fuel.

Any thoughts ?

Fitted new fuel lines which are all secure etc. Is there some kinda air vent that this may be coming from or is it air filter spray and a good dose of paranoia??

 

[EngineMan]

Wouldn't that be the 2 stroke oil.

 

[burnerboy]

Hi Engine Man

Maybe but cant see how this is getting there or where from?

The issue is that the oil used to re-coat my air filter is the same color as the 2 stroke oil used to mix with the petrol.

Any thoughts ?

 

[EngineMan]

Well it maybe that, try it with less oil and see.

 

[jekjr]

Thought. We have a Stihl hand held blower and kept having a similar type gas leak to what you describe. We discovered that it was coming from the fuel cap not being on tight enough. We started tightening it a little firmer and it has no leaks. We run this blower every day now with no problems.

 

[burnerboy]

Hi Jekjr

Thanks for the reply.

This had been a consideration, hence my question about vents and breathers. Mine has the old style IE plain black lid which I have sen a diagram suggesting it has an integral vent - anyone confirm this ? -

What I have noticed is that when I undo the filler cap it is quite firmly on and almost a mild fizz ala opening a bottle of fizzy drink - a very minor fizz like air entry/escape so I wondered if the vent was blocked/stuck but without knowing where it is its hard to check. Maybe I have started not firmly tightening it being mindful of the fizz sound. WIll try some test runs this week and post

 

[EngineMan]

I do believe you have a manual, but if not........

 

[burnerboy]

Hi Guys

Well I have found the leak !!

Just sat with strimmer on the bench and gave it a good run and noticed a small leak from the underside of the carb'.

I suspect a gasket has given out and was wondering if its better to look for a new carb or to get one of the gasket kits ?

Any thoughts or experience of either ?

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[burnerboy]

More pics, taken after leaving machine to sit for 30 mins or so :-

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[Fish]

I have seen a bunch of Zama carbs leaking at the fuel pump gasket area. Used to try the gasket kit, but it didn't cure it. Finally started using a
thin coat of Indian Head Gasket Shellac.
Check with your local Stihl dealers, the had marked down new Zama carbs to @ $20 on several models, the funniest part was they sold the full gasket kit for @ $16 or so.