I may change my mind

Good call . . . I must have blocked out that dark moment in my life!

 

I dont blow mine off . I try to wipe. But also not known to clean saws and no issue with mine

 

My opinions on flippy caps go back a long ways. The e mail to Stihl was written and sent 12/19/2011.

My biggest observation is that the caps are not equal. Some work flawlessly, but some models are just a nightmare. It is humorous when I have talked to saw shop mechanics and hear about the recalls and literally thousands of caps being replaced due to issues. I have just never heard of massive recalls on a screw in cap with an O ring. Perhaps it has happened, I just don't know about it.

The original Stihl caps had to use a scrwench to loosen the cap since there wasn't much to grab onto since the cap was a knurled round cap. People complained that a tool had to be used. Personally I won't run a saw without a scrwench in my pocket and consider it a non issue. So re tooling all the models for non prepared users IMHO is just dumb. A good number of my friends are loggers and I have never seen them ever go into the woods without files, wedges and a wrench.

 

My cousin has broken several caps with the scrunch from over tightening and the middle blowing out. I just hand tighten mine every now n then need the scrench to loosen

 

Boom! Now we have some good quality conversation.

I'm guessing there's a dealer or two here on the forum who can provide additional insight, but what I've been told by the few local dealers I do business with is that there was only a recall on one (or two?) particular types of flip caps and those types weren't used on chainsaws, just string trimmers and perhaps blower. I do know that dealers will replace 'free' flip caps from certain models/series of chainsaws if the owner reports a problem, but a recall was never issued. Some of the caps leak and some don't, so I suppose their response to the issue was to make a design change and replace problematic caps when users had problems. Not how I would handle it, but I've seen it before - specifically with a Dodge car I owned some years ago. I had a bad head gasket and when I took it to the dealer they told me they'd replace it at no cost to me. I mentioned I hadn't heard of a recall and they said there was no recall - just that Dodge would foot the bill for replacement if owners reported problems...

Here's a point where we DO agree . . . for the overwhelming majority of saw users a scrench is certainly a required tool during use so screw caps should be a non-issue (and for the record, I like screw caps too). The only rare exception I can think of is a saw with flip caps and the tool-less chain adjust...

 

I've never had a problem with the flippy caps - actually I like them. Maybe it's my engineering background; who knows. I try not to fill the gas and oil all the way to the top, because it will often spill out if I do.

The only time I've had issues with any caps at all were screw-type caps. I've had a stihl with a bad o-ring, and a husky where one of the 'fins' broke off, making it difficult to turn with the scrench. Both of these problems seemed to be caused by operator error. In the operation of a screw cap.

So i applaud the attempt, but I'm not sure any amount of engineering could have fixed this sort of problem.

 

I have no problem with flippy caps. I had to replace one on my old 361 because it had a slow leak.

That being said....a screw in cap seems like a better design. Not sure what the motivation was to change them.

 

Probably easier removal with gloves on would be my thought for the change.

 

Could be. But my Stihl blower and trimmer screw in caps have are easy to remove with gloves and flipping up the flippy part isn't always easy with gloves.

 

I posted the list in 2012. The list of the ones that were recalled. Stihl Recalled Toolless Fuel Caps on Yard Power Tools

 

copy paste from list.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE TO STIHL CUSTOMERS

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, STIHL Incorporated is recalling certain STIHL Yard Power Tools with Toolless Fuel Caps. These products were sold throughout the United States by STIHL Dealers.

Answers to frequently asked questions concerning this recall can be found here.

THIS RECALL IS FOR SAFETY REASONS!

Specifically, the levels of ethanol, aromatics or other additives in some gasoline sold in the United States may distort parts of the fuel cap, which could make caps more difficult to install and/or remove. If a fuel cap is not properly installed and fuel spillage results, there is a risk of fire if an ignition source is present, which could result in a burn injury to the consumer. STIHL Incorporated has received no reports of injuries at this time.

The toolless fuel caps subject to this recall can be distinguished from a newly designed cap which corrects this problem by a molded identifier mark located on the lever of the cap and also by a letter molded on the underside of the cap. These identifier markings are shown in the example photos below:



The STIHL products and model numbers subject to this recall are:
For more detailed photo click on the specific unit below

Product Name & Description Model Number Serial Numbers Affected
Blower, backpack BR 500
BR 550
BR 600
BR 600 Magnum®

Up to 284053456
Up to 284053456
Up to 284053456
Up to 284053456
Hedge Trimmer,
extended reach HL 90K
HL 100
HL 100 K
Up to 284101483
Up to 284101483
Up to 284101483
Pole Pruner HT 56 C-E
HT 100
HT 101
HT 130
HT 131
Up to 284398635
Up to 284097165
Up to 284097165
Up to 284097165
Up to 284097165
Edger FC 56 C-E
FC 70 C-E
FC 90
FC 95
FC 100
FC 110
Up to 284180999
Up to 284180999
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Trimmer/Brushcutter FS 40 C-E
FS 56 C-E
FS 56 RC-E
FS 70 RC-E
FS 90
FS 90 R
FS 100 RX
FS 110
FS 110 R
FS 110 RX
FS 130
FS 130 R
Up to 284180999
Up to 284180999
Up to 284180999
Up to 284180999
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Clearing Saw FS 310
Up to 284012099
KombiEngine KM 56 RC-E
KM 90 R
KM 110 R
KM 130 R
Up to 284180999
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099
Up to 284012099

You should discontinue use of your recalled STIHL product immediately and take it/them to an authorized STIHL Dealer. If your machine(s) has a fuel cap that is being recalled, your Dealer will install a new toolless fuel cap without any cost to you.

 

well ,i must say i was just telling a story i found funny and frustrating i did not intend to start a argument ,tomorrow i am getting a new cap, and possibly two additional caps as my dealer knows i have been wanting a 362 he offered me a great deal so i will think about it today and make a decision .

 

This is what I do. I also carry some rags with me and before each fill up I clean around the caps. Only fill to a certain level the fuel is always a little less than the oil And after the day's work is done I clean the saws real good

I'm knocking on wood here but have not had a problem with my flip caps. But I wouldn't be opposed to just regular screw in caps again though just to keep things simple

 

You buy the 362 and the dealer will throw in two caps free?

 

I bet he throws in a scrench and a tiny orange screwdriver free as well ;-)

 

If you want to clean around the caps prior to refilling, keep a small pain brush in your small saw tools, works great.

 

That I doubt unless the price has been jacked up so much to begin with.

 

Wait did he say 362CM??? Won't need the tiny screwdriver then

 

Should come with a scrench and a T27...and two flippy caps already installed....on a new 362.