KombiSystem FAQ

All STIHL gasoline-powered engines can be used with up to a 10% (E10) blend of ethanol in the gasoline/engine oil mix. We also recommend that if a unit will be left unused for more than 30 days that it be stored “dry.” This means emptying the fuel tank and then restarting and letting the unit run until all the fuel is consumed and the engine stops. For maximum performance and engine life expectancy, we also recommend using STIHL HP Ultra 2-cycle engine oil.

Note: STIHL recommends use of fuel with no more than 10% ethanol content. Using fuel with greater than 10% ethanol content may cause damage to your equipment and may void your STIHL warranty.

Only if you plan to “mothball” your KombiSystem for a longer period—say during the winter months—should you pay a little more attention to the topic of “care”. This will ensure that your equipment, when required, will be ready for action. To get the equipment ready for winter, clean it first. The air filter, the cylinder fins, the spark plug, and the dismantled cutting tool should be checked and cleaned (also see instruction manual). Metal parts should be lightly coated with oil to protect them from rust and corrosion. The spark arresting screen in the muffler should be cleaned or replaced with a new one. The fuel tank should be emptied. Run the engine until the fuel system is dry. (Warning! Do not operate the throttle, run the equipment only at idle speed until the engine stops!) STIHL recommends the use of STIHL MotoMix® fuel which is pre-mixed with STIHL HP Ultra synthetic oil. STIHL MotoMix® contains no ethanol and has a storage life of up to two years. STIHL MotoMix® can be left in the machine during seasonal storage. For winter storage, a dry and, if possible, dust-free and frost-free place would be ideal. You can save space if you hang the equipment. And remember: standard pump gasoline deteriorates. To avoid problems, only purchase enough fuel that can be used within sixty days unless it is STIHL MotoMix®.

Read more about storing your outdoor power equipment

There are several things you can check. If none of these work, please take the machine to your local authorized STIHL servicing Dealer for evaluation.

1. Make sure that you are using fresh fuel mix. (Never store or use fuel mix older than 60 days in can or fuel tank.)
2. Clean spark arrester screen in the muffler.
3. Replace fuel filter in fuel tank.
4. Clean or replace air filter.

The most common reason is due to too many attempts trying to start the machine in the choke position. When starting a unit, make sure to follow the starting instructions in your instruction manual. The manual provides the proper instruction for starting procedures, but there are many conditions that may affect how the unit starts. A good rule of thumb to follow is to remember that when placing the switch control to the full choke setting, more liquid fuel and less air flows into the combustion chamber in order to create a higher chance for ignition. Pulling the rope more than two to three times in this setting may flood the engine. The operator should move the Master Control Lever™ or choke lever from the full choke setting after three to four pulls even if the engine does not fire. Moving the lever to the next setting, the half choke or part throttle position, will allow more air into the combustion chamber and help resolve the flooding condition.

On homeowner Kombi units, it is only located on the bar code label on the fan casing. On the professional models, it is on the bar code label and stamped in the top of the cylinder or main crank case. All current serial numbers will be 9 digits long and begin with the number 2 or 5.

The carburetor comes from the factory with a standard setting. This setting provides an optimum fuel-air mixture under most operating conditions. With most carburetors, it is only possible to adjust the engine idle speed within fine limits. Quite often, adjusting the carburetor will not solve acceleration issues. To find the correct setting for your machine, please refer to your instruction manual. If you do not have a copy of your instruction manual, please go to our product manual webpage where you can download a PDF version.

STIHL Inc. maintains a Stolen Unit Database. If your STIHL product was stolen, please report it stolen to your local law enforcement agency. Then contact us with your name, address, model number and serial number. If the unit was registered at the time of purchase, we can have it added to the Stolen Unit Database.

STIHL Inc. does not accept product for repair or refurbishment. Please see your local authorized full-line STIHL servicing Dealer.

Please refer to the Maintenance Schedule which can be found in the instruction manual.

STIHL does not incorporate production dates into our serial numbers.

Generally, the minimum is 110 lbs. of compression. However, this will vary by model. Compression readings alone are not enough to determine the condition of the engine. Compression gauges are not always accurate and different engines will provide different results.

The correct gap setting is 0.020".

STIHL Inc. does not accept product for repair or refurbishment. Please see your local authorized full-line STIHL servicing Dealer.

Only STIHL attachments will fit STIHL Kombi units.

STIHL does not offer an electric start unit. We do, however, offer our Easy2Start™ system on the KM 56 RC-E.

Please go to our product recall webpage to see if your unit is listed. If it is part of the recall, please take it to any authorized STIHL Dealer.