for a ryobi ss30 straight shaft string trimmer.

Hi LSUinSLC,

My guess is that one of two problems has occurred. First, the cogs on the starter pulley have worn down. With the cogs worn away they will no longer make contact with the dogs on the flywheel. Second, the flywheel dogs are no longer functioning properly. The dogs are hinged and may be stuck.

You will need to do some disassembly to find the exact cause of the starter issue. One of the trickier tasks when accessing the trimmer is removing the clutch. We have an article and video that will show you how. You can find it here...

How to Remove a Trimmer Clutch.

I hope this helps,

-UtahAV
-Mark

Removal of the clutch drum isn't too hard of a project at all if you know a few tricks first. We have prepared an article and video that will provide you with all of the information you will need to remove the clutch drum. You can find the article and video at the following link...

How to Remove a Trimmer Clutch : eReplacementParts.com

I hope this helps you with your repair!

-Mark

Hello afinkoo7,

It looks like the manufacture does not furnish a carb kit for this model. You might want to remove and replace the gaskets that are available. And then clean the carb. Here is an article and video on carburetor care and cleaning. How to clean a two cycle engine carburetor.

Hope this helps,
WJA

Hey there. You need to adjust the two fuel mixture screws on the side of the carb. One is a white knob and one is a red knob there side by side. The white nob is your primary mix. The red is the high speed. Pop both those covers off (white and red nob covers) it may take a little prying with some pliers and a flat head. Under each is the adjustment screw. You will need to back both of them out a turn or two. You'll just have to play with it till you get it right. Back the white one out a few turns first. Then the red one while it is running to get your high speed where it needs to be. I hope this helps.

I had the same experience.

The screen is located at the end of the muffler as mine is held on with three small screws, so no need to remove the muffler. ( my screen was clean, by the way ) I had already taken the carb apart and was soaking it in some lacquer thinner, being mindful not to immerse the yellow plastic choke control as I didn't know how the plastic would react to the solvent.

After soaking, I blew all the ports in the carb out with compressed air and re-assembled it. Somewhere on here it states that the jets for adjustment are special so that only "authorized" techs can adjust them. Using a Dremel, I cut a couple of shallow slots in the ends to the jets, so they could be adjusted just in case the carb cleaning didn't do the trick. (much easier to do this off of the unit and in a vice)

Using new fuel lines, I re-assembled the rest of the unit. It started first pull, yet didn't have any power and died when the throttle was actuated. I then adjusted the H jet out slightly. (my carb has a H and L stamped within proximity to the two jets and by out I mean counter clockwise just a few degrees.)

It runs like a champ! Something about having to buy a new carb really rubs me the wrong way as this trimmer is only 4 yrs old with no real "hard" work on it.

Richen up the fuel mixture slightly (1/4-1/2 turn). The unburnt fuel helps cool the engine. If it starts and idles fine, do the high speed screw only. You can also remove and inspect the spark plug to confirm the diagnosis that the mixture is too lean.

Both fuel lines broke right at the gas tank. Can I buy just the fuel lines?

The fuel lines are poor quality, and deteriorate over time. I found replacement fuel line at the local auto parts store. Empty the gas tank, cut the fuel line off flush with the tank, then use a small punch to push the remaining fuel line into the tank. Dump the old fuel line out the filler neck. Thread the new fuel line through the holes in the plastic tank. The feed line to the carb will require that you reinstall the filter/ weight on the end, and it needs to be long enough to reach to the bottom of the gas tank. Push a lot of fuel line through, then fish it out of the filler neck to install the filter, and pull back through til the length is correct.

You will need a T20 Torx Driver.

Hi Donald,

Removal of the clutch drum isn't too hard of a project at all if you know a few tricks first. We have prepared an article and video that will provide you with all of the information you will need to remove the clutch drum. You can find the article and video at the following link...

How to Remove a Trimmer Clutch : eReplacementParts.com

I hope this helps you with your repair!

-Mark

Check your fuel/oil mixture if it is oil heavy it will cause this problem.

Mine had the same problem and I fixed it by replacing the gas cap. It sounds too simple to work, but there is a little white valve in the center of the cap. Over time, the material breaks down and won't allow the tank to vent air in as the gas is pulled out. It only runs with partial choke because that creates more suction on the fuel line to compensate for the vacuum in the tank.

Remove the muffler and clean the screen. If the screen is clogged it will not run unless the choke is on.

my unit has this same problem - leaking black oil out the bottom.

Hi William and Bernie,

I would guess that the oil is leaking past the gasket #19 on page B of the parts diagrams. It is part #900954001.

I hope this helps,

-UtahAV
-Mark

I had the same issue and have done some research. Try 518824001 on this website. It is a homelite part number and I found it for Ryobi Leaf Blower. Looks like it may fit Ryobi Line Trimmer carbs as well.

Hi Bill,

Your machine has an "EPA" carburetor. Starting in 1997 The EPA placed requirements on how clean small engines are required to burn. As part of this restriction the carburetors are set at the factory. The carb then either has the adjustment ports capped or they use special adjustment screws so that the carb can only be adjusted by a tech trained in compliance with the EPA directives. The manufacture offers the special carb adjustment tools their authorized repair shops but not to the general public. The manufacture is liable to ensure that the equipment they sell complies with the EPA directive and therefore will typically not offer the adjustment tools for sale to the general public. You can learn more about the EPA emissions requirements for small engines at the following link...

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/f98025a.pdf

Before you adjust the carburetor you should determine why it needs adjustment first. A carb should only need adjustment when it is new and needs to be adjusted for altitude or after a carburetor rebuild has been performed. If a piece of equipment has been working fine and then starts acting up there will be more repair issues than a simple carb adjustment. The carburetor itself will not simply go out of adjustment. You will want to look at things like a tune up, a clogged carburetor, a plugged exhaust system, ignition problems, etc.

I hope this helps with your trimmer repair.

-Mark

Hi Brad,

Your trimmer has a 2-cycle motor. Remember to use "mixed" gasoline in it. That is gas with 2-cycle oil. The proper mix ratio is 40:1 or 40 parts gas to 1 part oil. Most 2-cycle oil is packaged in a 50:1 ratio size of 2.6oz of oil to a gallon of gas. To get the 40:1 mix ratio with a 2.6oz bottle of mix oil, use .8 gallons of gas.

I hope this helps!

-Mark

That little thing is called a primer bulb! It primes up the carb before starting.

Hi Richard,

To remove the cover you will first need to replace the clutch drum. Removal of the clutch drum isn't too hard of a project at all if you know a few tricks first. We have prepared an article and video that will provide you with all of the information you will need to remove the clutch drum. You can find the article and video at the following link...

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/article/1771/How_to_Remove_a_Trimmer_Clutch.html

I hope this helps you with your repair!

-Mark

Hi Ed,

One trick I use with my 2-cycle engines is to hold the throttle wide open when I start them. It seems to make starting much easier. Make sure that your fuel is fresh. Gas that has sat in your gas can for more than a couple of months will begin to go bad. After six or more months the gas will be unusable. If neither of these two suggestions help then the carburetor may need to be adjusted. You will want to take the trimmer to a shop to have the carb adjusted by a trained repair tech.

I hope this helps with your repair!

-Mark

Hi Robert,

A clutch that will not disengage is caused by either the engine idling too fast or by damage to the clutch itself. Unless the idle adjustment on the carb has been changed or you have noticed that the engine seems to idle faster than it used to, the problem is most likely with the clutch itself. Your trimmer uses two clutch plates. Part of each clutch plate is milled so the thin outer strip will flex outward and contact the clutch drum when the proper engine RPM is reached. The clutch plates have likely failed and are constantly contacting the drum.

Here is a link to an article that will provide all of the information you need to replace the clutch drum and clutch plates...

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/article/1771/How_to_Remove_a_Trimmer_Clutch.html

The Clutch Drum is part #308177001 and the Clutch Plates are part #00242. Both parts are available from http://www.ereplacementparts.com.

I hope this helps with your repair!

-Mark

Yes that is correct. The string does go through the housing directly stringing around the recoil.

Hi Tim,

The following response is from Patrick, one of my associates here at http://ereplacementparts.com...

" Ok here we go! After you have taken the top off you will see the clutch drum assembly. In order to disassemble it you will need a old piece of rope and a phillips screw driver.

Here's what you want to do: take the spark plug out and make sure the piston is all the way down, feed the rope into the spark plug hole until you can't feed any more in. This keeps the motor from turning so you can take out the screw at the end of the shaft.

Then you take your screwdriver and insert it into the end of the shaft and start unscrewing the screw in a counterclockwise position and before you know it the clutch drum is off! To remove the clutch itself keep the rope in the combustion chamber and take a pair of channel locks and turn it in a counterclockwise rotation. It might not come off easy but don't give up!

Since you're already there, I'd recommend replacing the clutch assembly and drum while you're at it. That way you don't have to take it all apart again a few months down the road when you realize the clutch is starting to go south!

After you have removed the drum and the clutch you should be able to get to the starter assembly. I have included a link to a video that should help you give you an idea on how this is done. Take extra care when ordering to have the exact model number handy when you're ready to order.

Here is the link to the video, this is NOT your exact Ryobi trimmer, but it is an excellent reference video to give you an idea of how this is going to come apart! link removed "

Good luck with your repair!

-Mark

Hi Ted,

It sounds like you have a clogged carburetor. The carb can become clogged with dirt or other debris. If gas is left in the carburetor for more than a couple of months it will turn to a varnish and also clog the carb. The carburetor will need to be replaced. The carburetor is part #308054003 and is available from http://ereplacementparts.com.

I hope this helps with your repair!

-Mark

Hi Lawrence,

Removal of the clutch drum isn't too hard of a project at all if you know a few tricks first. We have prepared an article and video that will provide you with all of the information you will need to remove the clutch drum. You can find the article and video at the following link...

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/article/1771/How_to_Remove_a_Trimmer_Clutch.html

I hope this helps you with your repair!

-Mark

Hi bart

Removal of the clutch drum isn't too hard of a project at all if you know a few tricks first. The drum is held in place by a screw at the base of the hole on the end of the clutch drum. The screw is usually a Torx, hex or Phillips. The screw will remove with a counter-clockwise rotation. When you try to rotate the screw the engine will likely rotate as well. Here is where a trick comes in. Remove the spark plug from the engine. Now find a piece of small rope, like an old shoe lace. Put the rope down in the hole for the spark plug. Be sure to leave enough of the rope hanging out of the hole so you can remove it later. The rope will bind up the piston so the engine can no longer rotate and now you can easily remove the clutch drum screw.

Hope this helps with your trimmer repair!

-Mark

Hi Johnny, The primer bulb is available individually. It is part #01183 and is available from http://www.ereplacementparts.com. The parts diagram should be updated with this information shortly. Thanks! -Mark

Hi leo, It sounds like your trimmer is having some carburetor problems. Specifically it sounds like it isn't getting enough fuel in the mixture. This is usually caused by debris in the carb. The most common ways that dirt and debris get into the carb are by way of cracked fuel lines, dirty or missing air filters and by old gas being left in the machine for extended periods of time such as over the winter. Old gas will varnish in the carburetor and slowly plug it. You will need a new carburetor to get your trimmer up and running again. It is part #985893001 and is available from http://www.ereplacementparts.com Good luck with your repair! -Mark

Ok Bill, After you have taken the top off you will see the clutch drum assembly. In order to disassemble it you will need a old piece of rope and a phillips screw driver.

Here's what you want to do: take the spark plug out and make sure the piston is all the way down, feed the rope into the spark plug hole until you can't feed any more in. This keeps the motor from turning so you can take out the screw at the end of the shaft.

Then you take your screwdriver and insert it into the end of the shaft and start unscrewing the screw in a counterclockwise position and before you know it the clutch drum is off! To remove the clutch itself keep the rope in the combustion chamber and take a pair of channel locks and turn it in a counterclockwise rotation.



Here is the link to the video, this is NOT your exact Ryobi trimmer, but it is an excellent reference video to give you an idea of how this is going to come apart! link removed

Hi Rick! Yes the fuel tank includes the fuel filter and the fuel lines as well.

Hey There Dale! Ok here we go! After you have taken the top off you will see the clutch drum assembly. In order to disassemble it you will need a old piece of rope and a phillips screw driver.

Here's what you want to do: take the spark plug out and make sure the piston is all the way down, feed the rope into the spark plug hole until you can't feed any more in. This keeps the motor from turning so you can take out the screw at the end of the shaft.

Then you take your screwdriver and insert it into the end of the shaft and start unscrewing the screw in a counterclockwise position and before you know it the clutch drum is off! To remove the clutch itself keep the rope in the combustion chamber and take a pair of channel locks and turn it in a counterclockwise rotation. It might not come off easy but don't give up!

Since you're already there, I'd recommend replacing the clutch assembly and drum while you're at it. That way you don't have to take it all apart again a few months down the road when you realize the clutch is starting to go south!

After you have removed the drum and the clutch you should be able to get to the starter assembly. I have included a link to a video that should help you give you an idea on how this is done. Take extra care when ordering to have the exact model number handy when you're ready to order.

Here is the link to the video, this is NOT your exact Ryobi trimmer, but it is an excellent reference video to give you an idea of how this is going to come apart! link removed

Hi BigDawg, Yes your trimmer has two clutch plates and they are sold individually.

There is a fuel filter attached to the fuel line inside the tank. If this was not replaced or left off completely you may have gotten dirt into your carburetor which could cause some runability issues.

link removed - ‪Trimmer Clutch Removal‬‏

You will need those tools in the video

518824001 is the part number from Homelite. Costs less than a dollar. Sometimes it takes a little, ok a lot of research but that looks like the part.