Barcombeboy

Thanks. The engine also fills up with petrol. In fact the carb just seems to be a straight through conduit for petrol to go from petrol tank to air filter, exhaust and combustion chamber. Have ordered a carb kit. Not the official Stihl one as it's almost as much as a new carb but the one from Amazon for less than a fiver.

Hi. Suddenly the petrol in my Stihl KM94 RC (2-stroke) has started dripping out of the carburettor into the air filter. The machine still works (although I have had to remove the sodden air filter) but it is getting through petrol mix at a right old rate (and is probably dangerous too). The petrol leaks out even when the machine is turned off, lain on it's back and even when the tank is virtually empty. It's almost like some siphon action is at work. I've looked around a bit and all I can find is that either the meter lever spring in the carburettor has become dislodged (or too relaxed?) or an air vent (on top of the petrol tank?) has become blocked. Neither seem that likely though. The controls seem to work OK and as I say this continues to happen even when the machine is lain on its back. Has anyone experienced this and know what the problem might be? I've attached a photo in case it helps. It drips every 5 or 6 seconds or so. Thanks for any help.

Hi. I planted this birch roughly eight years ago and it's now about 8m tall. It seems to be growing up at an angle (as opposed to upright). Should I be worried about this? FYI. It is definitely leaning the way you might expect when our prevailing winds are from the SW. However, it's not very exposed here and none of the other trees have grown up at an angle. Thanks for any help.

Just to finish off this thread. After ten years of frustration I dumped the awful Stihl KM130 R 4-Mix Kombi and got a second hand Stihl KM 94 RC Kombi instead as recommended here. Up until today it's been great, a real breath of fresh air, usually starting first go even when hot, and easily powerful enough for my needs. Up until today.... but I'll start another thread about that..... 😞 So, thank you everyone for your input. It's been very much appreciated

I did look at a battery Stihl Kombi but decided against it pretty quickly. I love the idea but it's expensive and for my usage pattern I'd probably need three batteries (for one engine!).... so really bloody expensive. The 94 is looking like the best bet so far. And spudulike... I wished you worked in East Sussex! Dobin... perplexed... why do I need grease?

Thanks very much for the replies. Yes, the valves clearances were just one of the things (regularly!) looked at. I didn't realise that strimming consumed the most power. I'd assumed it was hedge cutting. And it is hedge cutting I use it for most, which makes me wonder if I might get away with a 94, thus avoiding Stihl's 4-Mix offering. doobin, is the 94 really powerful enough to trim farm blackthorn/hawthorn hedges without struggling?

Hello. I'm hoping someone might help me. I am not a professional but smallholder with wood, field and lots of native and domestic hedging. A decade ago I bought the Stihl KM 130 R Kombi with a load of attachments. It's been awful, completely unreliable. I only use it three or four times a year but when I do usage is intense. Sometime it does not start and almost always it will not restart once its got warm with use. I've taken it to a number of dealers and repair shops and each time it comes back it works OK the first time and then the next time I get it out it's useless (and yes, I use fresh fuel mix every time). So, at last I'm giving up as a bad job. But I don't know what to replace it with. I need a powerful pole hedge trimmer and a strimmer/brush cutter. Initially I thought I'd just not touch Stihl ever again (I had similar problems with their MS181 chainsaw, bought at exactly the same time, but have now exchanged it for a Husqvarna 345 which has been a breath of fresh air!). However, there seems little resale value for the attachments so I have begun to think about getting a Stihl combi. Obviously I have very little faith in Stihl's 4-mix engine now so have looked at their 2-Mix KM 94-RC-E Kombi but I don't think it'll be powerful enough for me (not too certain about this though). So reluctantly I've begun to consider the 4-Mix KM 131 R, an updated version of the dead KM 130 R I have. So my questions are: Can anyone vouch that the 131 is much better and much more reliable than the older 130 Kombi? What would you do in my situation? Cost is a concern or me. I am not at all adverse to buying second hand. I am just not at all knowledgeable about this market. Any advice very much appreciated.