Fuel lines

[Jim Thompson]

I did use the right size fuel line and filter (picked up today at Stihl dealer) and they installed fine, nice and tight, even used small cable ties at the ends to really seal it. Not sure about the primer bulb, no obvious cracks but.... Whenever I use them (on this machine and others) they always sound and look suspect to me, the gas seems bubbly (?).
I watched a good you tube of a string trimmer carb rebuild, does that count? Looks doable but other than seeing a blocked passage I don't know that I could identify a problem and would probably end up doing the rebuild w/o knowing if this was the problem in the first place. Sounds like a visit to the Stihl man even though I'd much rather fix it myself. I'll post an update (FYI)when (and if) the problem gets resolved. Thanks for the input.

Might be time for new metering and fuel pump diaphragms. Over time, they will get to where they won't flex, in which case the fuel pump will not pump fuel and the metering diaphragm will not respond to engine vacuum. Kit from Stihl is around $10. New carb would probably be less than $50, some are as cheap as 35. If you choose to replace the diaphragms, also replace the small internal filter screen.
Good luck.

Jim