How to Replace the Intake Insulator Gasket on an Echo Trimmer (Model SRM-225)

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The intake insulator gasket forms a seal between the engine block and the insulator. Its oversized design prevents excessive heat from reaching the carburetor, which can cause vapor-lock. It is not uncommon for this gasket to become damaged when related engine components are repaired or replaced. The gasket should be inspected (and replaced as necessary) whenever the insulator block is removed from the engine. Replacing the gasket is easy to do.

This article provides step-by-step instructions for removing and installing the intake insulator gasket on an Echo SRM-225 trimmer.

Let's get started.

  REMOVING THE INSULATOR GASKET [top] 1. Remove the air cleaner assembly.

Loosen the thumb screw.

Remove the air cleaner lid.

Remove the air filter.

  2. Drain the fuel.

Drain the fuel before servicing the unit.

  3. Remove the intake assembly.

SPECIFIX: The intake assembly (as described in this article) includes the air cleaner bracket, air cleaner case, carburetor, and the intake gasket. All of these components are secured to the engine by the same screws. While it is not necessary to disconnect the throttle cable or fuel lines (from the carburetor) to complete this repair, be aware that the carburetor may fall away from the intake assembly when you remove the screws.

Loosen the (2) bracket retaining screws.

Remove the air cleaner case (along with the bracket and the screws) from the engine.

Separate the carburetor (if it has not already become separated) from the insulator.

Locate and remove the intake gasket. (This gasket is situated between the carburetor and the intake insulator block.) Typically, the gasket will fall away from the two components as they are separated. Sometimes, the gasket will remain affixed to either the carburetor or the intake insulator block.

  4. Remove the insulator block.

Remove the (2) retaining screws.

Remove the intake insulator block from the engine.

  5. Remove the engine cover.

Disconnect the spark plug boot from the spark plug.

Remove the (2) retaining screws from the engine cover.

Lift and remove the engine cover from the engine.

  6. Remove the intake insulator gasket.

Remove the intake insulator gasket from the engine.

  INSTALLING THE NEW INSULATOR GASKET [top] 7. Install the intake insulator gasket.

Install the new intake insulator gasket in its approximate position against the engine block. (The gasket is secured in later steps; but it must be positioned before the engine cover is reinstalled.)

  REASSEMBLING THE UNIT [top] 8. Reinstall the engine cover.

Install the engine cover, ensuring that the spark plug wire passes through the hole in the top.

Tuck the ignition wires into the channel behind the engine cover.

Secure the engine cover with the (2) screws.

Reinstall the spark plug boot.

  9. Reinstall the intake insulator block.

Install the two nuts into the recesses on the back of the insulator block.

Note that there is a small opening (beneath the main intake port) on the bottom of the insulator block. This opening should align with the small opening beneath the intake port on the engine.

Thread the mounting screws through the holes in the intake insulator block. This will help align the assembly during installation.

Install the intake insulator block onto the engine.

Secure the intake insulator with the (2) screws.

  10. Reinstall the intake assembly.

Thread the (2) mounting screws through the mounting holes on the air cleaner bracket and the air cleaner case. The bracket should be flush against the interior of the air cleaner case (on the same side as the choke valve).

Thread the screws (protruding from the air cleaner case) through the holes on the carburetor assembly.

Note that there are two small holes on the intake gasket (besides the main intake opening and the two mounting holes). These small holes need to align with the small hole on the insulator block.

Thread the screws through the mounting holes on the intake gasket and slide the gasket flush against the carburetor.

Install the intake assembly (bracket, air cleaner case, carburetor and intake gasket) onto the intake insulator block.

Secure the intake components (bracket, air cleaner case, carburetor and intake gasket) with the screws.

  11. Reinstall the air filter.

Install the air filter into the air cleaner case.

  12. Reinstall the air filter lid.

Install the air filter lid onto the air cleaner case.

Secure the air filter lid with the thumbscrew.

You don't have to leverage your savings to level your lawns. As you just learned, repairing your own equipment is easy when you follow our step-by-step guides. Not only did you restore trimmer functionality at a fraction of the cost of replacement; you have taken the edge off of future repairs, wherever you may find them.

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