Stihl Warranty Rant

[MoKelly]

For what its worth very few manufactures will just give joe blow off the street parts to repair their machines on warranty. The fault if any lies with the shop itself for having too few mechanics and a large backlog. But even then there is other shops.

I agree with this post. It is the dealer who is at fault in your situation.

MoKelly

 

[Bird]

For what its worth very few manufactures will just give joe blow off the street parts to repair their machines on warranty. The fault if any lies with the shop itself for having too few mechanics and a large backlog. But even then there is other shops.

Yep, way back in 1995, I bought a new Cub Cadet riding mower, and while it was still in warranty, the spindle on the mower deck seized. Now I could have hooked up the trailer, hauled the mower 25 miles (one way) to the dealer and left it, then go back the next day to get it, or I could do a simple repair if I had the new part. So I took the defective part to the dealer from which I had purchased the mower, but as you said, I had to pay for the new part. He'd only warranty it if I let him do the work. Now I assumed that was so he could charge the manufacturer for labor. So I bought the part, fixed my mower, and wrote a letter to the manufacturer. They responded that they had contacted the dealer and he would refund my money, but he made sure I knew that he was mad at me, which was fine with me because I'd already had enough dealings with him to know I'd never have anything to do with him in future.:laughing:

On the other hand, when I had a Craftsman (by DeVilbig) oilless air compressor break the reed valves, I took it to a Sears service center to let them repair it, but they said their mechanic was on vacation, so it would be about a week. I told the guy that if he'd just give me the parts, I'd be glad to fix it myself, and he was quite willing to do that.

 

[JimWalch]

OP here
I put the new cap on along with the new gas line,super simple. Replaced several carbs & gas lines on other brands and Stihl has done the gas lines a lot better than anything that I have worked on. It took me all of 10 min. and this is the first time tearing into a Stihl. Started on second pull! I'm still in awe at the 8 week wait for a 10 min. fix.

My gas leak was not all E-10 related. (Still don't like E-10) Found out that the grommet where the gas lines goes in the tank split. And the new cap don't leak. Was there a recall on the caps?

I will be making a 30 mile trip to get some real gas without corn juice in it. Closest place to me is:
Morgan Distributing Inc.
3425 North 22nd Street
Decatur, IL 62526
(800) 800-MOBL
(Toll Free)
(217) 877-3570 (Phone)
(217) 877-3613 (Fax)

And no I don't own stock in this company. But I did work across the street at Firestone in the early 70's for my first punch the clock job. Done that for 3 years and found out clock punching wasn't for me.

 

[psj12]

I blame the manufactures for the E10 related problems! They have had many years to engineer a product that can use pump gas. The problem is in the materials like gas lines and carburetor gaskets. Auto manufactures came up with the proper materials! This just lets the manufactures of small engines off the hook for all kinds of non-gas related warranty repairs.

 

[Coyote machine]

I blame the manufactures for the E10 related problems! They have had many years to engineer a product that can use pump gas. The problem is in the materials like gas lines and carburetor gaskets. Auto manufactures came up with the proper materials! This just lets the manufactures of small engines off the hook for all kinds of non-gas related warranty repairs.

Blame them all you want, cars use a closed loop system under pressure which does not allow air in to mix with the fuel in the tank, AND most people don't have their cars sitting around for weeks or months unused. This problem with E10 has been an issue for boats, which have VERY expensive engines; for instance I spent over $25K on a new 225 HP Yamaha four stroke last summer, and believe me they REQUIRE as part of warranty that their brand of fuel additive and water separator fuel FILTER be used during warranty.
Seals, o-rings etc. have been changed, and especially fuel line for boat engines, because the E10 would literally turn the inside of NON-E-10 fuel line into a balloon which would allow NO fuel to pass through it.
So manufacturers have done their due diligence on this subject, but problems persist, and that is why the boat industry, as but one example, has fought really hard to dis-allow E-15 to be brought to market. In fact, ALL boat engine manufacturers state that use of any E gas over 10% will void the engine warranty, no questions asked.

 

[Coyote machine]

Doesn't ALL manufactures cover ALL 2 cycle machines.?

I don't understand your question?

 

[murphy1244]

I don't understand your question?

I am not surprised.

 

[Coyote machine]

I am not surprised.

Where did I say anything about all manufacturers or all 2 cycle machines?:confused2:
What IS your point anyway, does it have anything to do with the discussion going on?
I'd like to answer your question but it has to be able to be understood to give a substantive response- I can't read your mind....

 

[rekees4300]

For many MotoMix is the way to go and protect their engines at the same time.

Went to the Stihl dealer today and bought 2 quarts of MotoMix. $9 bucks a quart...ouch!!! Will try it tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

 

[murphy1244]

Where did I say anything about all manufacturers or all 2 cycle machines?:confused2:
What IS your point anyway, does it have anything to do with the discussion going on?
I'd like to answer your question but it has to be able to be understood to give a substantive response- I can't read your mind....

Read post 18 MR. Know it all.:confused2:

 

[Coyote machine]

Read post 18 MR. Know it all.:confused2:

I've read it. I believe I wrote it! Now how does that supposedly make me a 'know it all' in your opinion?
And show me where I wrote about: 'ALL manufacturers and all 2 cycle machines'?

If what you're trying to cite is my having said ALL 2 cycle engines in one sentence and ALL brands in another, I did that to pound through the denseness that it is NOT a STIHL brand specific problem. E-10 wreaks havoc for all, not one brand or type of machine.
I never said, nor have I ever implied I know it all about any subject upon which I choose to converse about, BUT I do maintain that I get what I know by doing lots of research on the subject before opening my mouth.
If you have something positive to add to the OP's subject matter then by all means add something to the discussion. If, on the other hand, all you have is one liner jabs and taunts then maybe your time would be better spent elsewhere.

 

[murphy1244]

I've read it. I believe I wrote it! Now how does that supposedly make me a 'know it all' in your opinion?
And show me where I wrote about: 'ALL manufacturers and all 2 cycle machines'?

If what you're trying to cite is my having said ALL 2 cycle engines in one sentence and ALL brands in another, I did that to pound through the denseness that it is NOT a STIHL brand specific problem. E-10 wreaks havoc for all, not one brand or type of machine.
I never said, nor have I ever implied I know it all about any subject upon which I choose to converse about, BUT I do maintain that I get what I know by doing lots of research on the subject before opening my mouth.
If you have something positive to add to the OP's subject matter then by all means add something to the discussion. If, on the other hand, all you have is one liner jabs and taunts then maybe your time would be better spent elsewhere.

Reread post #13
don't even reply to my posts, you are not in charge of this blog get that threw your thick head. good day!

 

[Coyote machine]

Reread post #13
don't even reply to my posts, you are not in charge of this blog get that threw your thick head. good day!

I re-read your post #13, and chose to answer it. I never said I was in any way in charge of this 'blog'.
My head may be large to accommodate my gargantuan brain, but it's definitely not thick.:shocked:
Being rude doesn't help your take on things. If you don't like what I post don't ask me questions about what I post, and better yet don't bother reading what I write so you don't blow a gasket over nothing.
Doctor prescribes moonshine for patient.

CM out

 

[Gale Hawkins]

https://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&q=e10+use+in+two+strokes&oq=e10+use+in+two&gs_l=hp.1.0.33i29i30.4958.17483.0.21982.14.14.0.0.0.0.748.3570.2j8j1j5-1j2.14.0...0.0.0..1c.1.17.psy-ab.r1JAbdCx0wA&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47883778,d.eWU&fp=146b86452caa966d&biw=1280&bih=685

More fuel for both sides.

 

[newbury]

Went to the Stihl dealer today and bought 2 quarts of MotoMix. $9 bucks a quart...ouch!!! Will try it tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

You can buy about the same thing at home depot for $6/quart
Trufuel 50:1 Pre Oil Mix-6525638 at The Home Depot

 

[Coyote machine]

https://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&q=e10+use+in+two+strokes&oq=e10+use+in+two&gs_l=hp.1.0.33i29i30.4958.17483.0.21982.14.14.0.0.0.0.748.3570.2j8j1j5-1j2.14.0...0.0.0..1c.1.17.psy-ab.r1JAbdCx0wA&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47883778,d.eWU&fp=146b86452caa966d&biw=1280&bih=685

More fuel for both sides.

The PDF from Echo equipment is of particular interest, and basically says everything and more that I and others kicked around too.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

There is no one that seriously thinks E10 is as good as pure gas for two stroke engines.

One can say well my grand paw lived to be 101 and smoked and ate lard all of his life but it was not prove smoking and eating lard is a life extending practice.

 

[Coyote machine]

There is no one that seriously thinks E10 is as good as pure gas for two stroke engines.

One can say well my grand paw lived to be 101 and smoked and ate lard all of his life but it was not prove smoking and eating lard is a life extending practice.

Possibly, but there are plenty of people here that think E-10 is having no adverse effect on their equipment- and that is just denial or flat out delusion. Reality is what it shows- engine damage across the board for all brands and types of two stroke engines.

 

[BigE_]

Last time I was in Sears I saw they were selling real gas. Might be worth a shot if they are close.

 

[JimWalch]

After purchasing it, a letter came to my address informing me of possible faulty gas caps. I took it to the dealer and he put a new gas cap on it. BTW, where you aware that if you use the Stihl brand oil, this doubles the warranty? I was told that it isn't advisable to use ethanol gas in a small engine.[/QUOTE]

Yes I am aware of the double warranty and will soon be using only REAL gas. It will be a 38 mile trip one way.

Do you still have a copy of the letter about the faulty gas cap? I sure would like to have a copy PM to me. Thanks

This is how I found out about my leaking gas cap on my Stihl FS45: Woke up 1:30 am smelling gas in the house. Got up thinking our Pontiac Torrent was leaking at the fuel pump block. The torrent has a recall in only hot states to get this replaced. Guess Illinois is only a warm state! Well as soon as I got close to the trimmer it was obvious the leak was from the cap.