The STIHL Edger Won’t Start Unless the Choke Is Engaged

Having to keep the choke engaged to keep the engine running indicates a problem has developed with your lawn edger.

When there is too much air or not enough fuel going into a STIHL edger’s engine, the machine will not operate.

The fuel is stale, the fuel line is punctured, the fuel filter is clogged, the carburetor gasket is leaking, the carburetor is unclean, or the fuel tank vent is blocked.

6 Reasons Why a STIHL Edger Requires the Choke to Be Engaged

An Edger with Old Gas for STIHL

When there is a shortage of fuel, stale gas is generally to blame. The performance of your STIHL edger may suffer, and you may need to resort to using the choke.

Fuel flow can be impeded by varnish left behind by stale fuel. Maintaining the proper gas-to-air ratio for combustion may need the employment of the choke.

Using fresh gas and properly mixing it with 2-cycle oil will help prevent future fuel-related issues. When using a fuel stabilizer, STIHL suggests using the fuel within 30 days and no more than 60 days.

STIHL edgers call for a 50:1 ratio of gas to oil.

• Fuel without lead, having an octane value of 89 or above and no more than 10% ethanol.
• Two-cycle engine oil of the highest quality, such as STIHL High Performance or STIHL HP Ultra.

ANSWER: Drain the gas from your edger. Refuel the vehicle’s fill tank by blending gas and 2-cycle engine oil. To keep the fuel system clean and dry, use an additive like Sea Foam or STA-BIL.

Put it in the gas tank as instructed. Turn on the edger and wait for the fuel mixture to circulate through the machine. If you still need to use the choke to keep the edger operating, look at the other items on this list.

A STIHL Edger’s Fuel Line Was Punctured

The engine is getting too much air if the choke is not being used to restrict airflow into the carburetor.

Make sure there isn’t a hole in the fuel line that’s allowing air to get inside.

Any fuel lines that are broken or cracked should be replaced. Fuel line cleaning or replacement may be necessary if a fuel limitation is discovered.

STIHL Edger Carburetor Gasket Failure

The area around the gasket that covers the opening behind the carburetor is another possible source of excessive air intake. The quality of the seal provided by this gasket can degrade over time.

Because of the increased airflow, the edger uses less fuel and operates more efficiently. It may be necessary to utilize the choke in order to keep it operating.

Remove the linkages and nuts holding the carburetor in place to gain access to it. Take off the gasket and carburetor.

After replacing the gasket, the carburetor, bolt, and links can be reattached. While the carburetor is out of the STIHL edger, you can clean it.

The STIHL Edger’s Fuel Filter Clogged

In order to prevent harmful particles and dirt from entering the fuel system and engine, a fuel filter is installed in the gasoline tank. The filter might become clogged and prevent enough fuel from getting through if it isn’t changed regularly.

The fuel filter should be changed once a year and clean fuel should be used to prevent any fuel limitation.

The STIHL fuel filter needs to be changed since it is clogged. To prevent dirt from entering the fuel tank, wipe the area surrounding the cap before removing it. Take the tank’s filter out.

To remove the filter from the tank, hook the fuel line using a clean, bent wire. It’s time to change the fuel filter, so take it out of the tank and replace it with a brand new one.

It’s important to replace the filter in the exact same spot as the old one. Put the gas cap back on.

The STIHL Edger’s Unclean Carburetor

The STIHL edger cannot be started or kept running without the carburetor adjusting the quantity of fuel introduced into the air/fuel mixture.

When varnish and gummy deposits build up in the carburetor, it prevents fuel from reaching the engine. It’s possible for its tubes to clog up, and for its internal parts to get stuck and stop working.

Clean your carburetor yourself if you’re at all mechanically inclined. Take apart the carburetor and use a carburetor cleaning to eliminate residue from stale gas.

The carburetor may need to be rebuilt using a rebuild kit or replaced if it still doesn’t work after being cleaned.

Before you go out and buy a new carburetor, think about how much a new, comparable STIHL edger would set you back.

It may be more cost-effective to buy a new edger rather than spend money on a new carburetor for a beginner-level edger. Depending on the edger’s model, age, and repair costs, you’ll have to make a financial selection.

A STIHL Edger with a Blocked Fuel Tank Vent

The fuel tank needs a vent so that air can circulate through it and the pressure inside the tank may be balanced with the outside air pressure. A vacuum will form inside the fuel tank without a vent, reducing the amount of fuel that reaches the engine.

As a result, you may need to keep the edger operating by applying the choke.

If your edger is sluggish with the throttle off but picks up speed once you loosen the fuel cap, you may have a fuel tank vent problem.

The STIHL edger must be used on a flat, even surface. Loosen the cap, but be careful not to let any gas escape. Get the edger going. Choke should be turned all the way off.

If the edger operates smoothly with the choke off, you should leave it that way and tighten the cap. If it stops working, it may be because the fuel tank vent was blocked.