Written on: 09/05/2013 by grasshopper91 (1 review written)
Just bought the FS 38 trimmer couple of weeks ago from a reputable dealer who sells mostly Stiel products.Had a bit of trouble getting it started until I read the manual,always read the manual first.My problem was to forget to click in the little "Tongue"on the bottom.Ended up holding the throttle with one hand and pulling the cord with the other,totally uneccesary if you do it by the book.This machine has more power than I`m used to from my old electric,i`m totally satisfied contrary to... (read more)
Written on: 29/07/2012
I can start Stihl blowers, chainsaws, etc. But getting our trimmer to start has been a BIG issue since day one. Should have returned the thing. HATE it. (read more)
Written on: 11/06/2012
I do everything correctly according to Stihl. I store it dry. I use premium gas. I use the correct dilution of the correct oil. I check the spark plug. The spark arrester is clean. It will not start. Or it will not idle. Or it dies on full throttle. This season, I adjusted the H and L settings, trying to get it to keep running. No go. Next step is to change the fuel filter. But I've done a visual and it looks clean. This trimmer has never worked properly. I've spent more at an authorized... (read more)
Written on: 25/05/2012
I've had the FS38 for 4 years now and I only use it for approx. 2 hs/year. Allways a bit tricky to start but Ok power for small jobs once it has started. The problem is that it that some components are of inferior quality. E.g the ignition coil gave up. Will cost me 50 euros for a new one. Not sure if I'll threw good money after bad. I'm really disapointed with this trimmer. I have two other Stihl trimmers one top end model (for bushwacking) an one mid range both are great machines but the... (read more)
Written on: 20/08/2010
When it was new i thought it was great, less than 2 years later the shaft overheated and the bearing seized up and now it would cost more to fix than it is worth new. I got better use out of the cheap wal-mart brand. Definate thumbs down. (read more)
Written on: 01/02/2010
I had 2 of these trimmers already, on both the shaft overheated, the shield started to melt away and one started burning on the cutter head.
The baring on the lkower end seizes up and the trimmer looses power.
It is an entry lever model for very small areas to cut.
I have a hard time to explain this to my dealer.
(read more)
Written on: 06/10/2009 by scottw (1 review written)
I bought this strimmer 6 months ago and I am fed up with it, it always takes at least 50 pulls to get going and some days I just give up and get my old electric one out, I was a gardener for 5 years and never had a problem with a petrol strimmer but this is rubbish! My old FS42 was great but I will never buy Stihl again after this. (read more)
Written on: 23/06/2009
The Stihl FS38 Strimmer is a strong strimmer for its size. It is very much a small property strimmer and should not be used for large contract. It can not be used then thrown in the back of the shed for the winter. Let it run out of fuel when it is supposed to be left for a long period of time as two stroke fuel "goes off" in the carburettor after a month. (read more)
Written on: 03/06/2009
I do not recommend the Stihl FS38 Strimmer as stated above always needs service after storing regret buying it a little over 2 yrs old and spent more
in repairs than purchase price
(read more)
Written on: 23/03/2009
When the Stihl FS38 Strimmer starts its powers through long grass. I find it doesn't always start first time after winter requires service to get it to start. Wire never feeds through as promised - this is an entery level model and it shows. I would purchase a higher spec machine in future - very disappointed (read more)
Written on: 01/03/2008
Overall this is a very impressive trimmer. Don't let the small number of CCs in the engine fool you. The machine has plenty of power to get through the thickest grass and weeds (and even some small trees). Once it gets warmed up it cuts like something crazy! I gave a friend of mine a lend of it as well and he claimed the same thing.
The only downside I see is that the unit is almost too short for me. After using it for a while I found my back did start to get a little tired. Other than that -...
(read more)
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Guest's Response to scottw's Review
Written on: 03/06/2011
My FS 38 is the worst line trimmer I have ever owned.
It's been back and forth to the Geebung store over the past few months, with no outcome at all. The store manager told me I don't have enough fuel in it, and thats why it stalls
It can be full of fuel and stall up to 6 times, and my yard is only 450m2
I will never buy a Stihl again, spend the money and buy Honda