How to Replace the Carburetor on a Ryobi Trimmer

Carburetor clogged? It's time to face the fix. Whether you are a legendary landscaper or a weekend weed whacker, eReplacementParts.com provides the parts, procedures and facts you need to fearlessly fix what fails you.

The carburetor supplies your trimmer's engine with a vital mixture of fuel and air, which it distributes through a series of tiny metal passages. When dirt or debris finds its way past the engine's filters, these narrow passages can quickly become clogged. The carburetor can also become clogged when fuel is allowed to sit in the trimmer for an extended period of time.

Difficulty starting, rough idle, high idle, false-start, no-start, excessive fuel consumption: These are the symptoms of a failing carburetor. Some symptoms can be treated by rebuilding the carburetor. But the process requires more patience, time and knowledge than some people are comfortable investing. When symptoms begin to multiply, or when damage is extensive, replacing the entire carburetor assembly is usually the easier choice.

This article will guide you through the steps required to remove and install the carburetor on a Ryobi trimmer. The assembly in this kit also includes a new fuel filter and fuel line, a carb gasket and an extra segment of fuel line.

Let's get started.

  REMOVING THE CARBURETOR [top] 1. Remove the rear cover.

Remove the (4) screws from the rear cover.

Remove the rear cover from the engine.

  2. Remove the carburetor.

Drain any excess fuel from the fuel tank prior to servicing the carburetor or the fuel lines.

Remove the (2) screws from the carburetor assembly.

Remove the choke plate and choke assembly from the carburetor.

Disconnect the throttle cable from the carburetor (this is accomplished using a lift-and-twist motion).

Remove the (2) fuel lines from the carburetor. These lines should pull away from the carburetor inlets relatively easily (by hand); however, small pliers may be used as necessary to disconnect the fuel lines from the carburetor.

Remove the carburetor from the engine.

  REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER & FUEL LINE [top] 3. Remove the fuel filter and fuel line.

Pry the plastic washer away from the fuel filter/line outlet on the bottom of the fuel tank.

Use wire cutters to cut the fuel filter/line outlet flush with the fuel tank.

Use a small screwdriver to press the remainder of the fuel filter into the fuel tank.

With the fuel tank cap removed, rotate the trimmer upside-down until the fuel filter falls from the fuel tank.

  4. Install the new fuel filter and fuel line.

Along with a new carburetor, gasket, fuel filter and fuel line, this kit includes a short stretch of fuel line and a two-way line connector. The extra fuel line and two-way connector are not needed for this project. They were originally included to solve a problem that no longer exists (the fuel line was too short).

Use wire cutters to cut a taper at the end of the new fuel line (this will allow the line to pass through the mounting hole more smoothly).

Lubricate the outside of the new fuel line with two-cycle engine oil (this will allow the line to pass through the mounting hole more smoothly).

Insert the new fuel line into the fuel tank and thread the tapered end of the line through the mounting hole in the bottom of the tank.

Pull the fuel line through the opening until the fuel filter nipple is partially seated in the mounting hole.

Use a large screwdriver to press (down) on the center (plastic) portion of the fuel filter while pulling firmly and steadily on the fuel line (from the bottom). Continue this motion until the fuel filter/line is fully seated within the mounting hole.

Slide the plastic washer onto the new fuel line.

Use pliers to slide the plastic washer over the fuel filter nipple (flush against the fuel tank). This secures the fuel filter in position.

Pass the tapered end of the fuel line through the opening in the back of the carburetor mounting assembly.

Use cutters to remove the taper from the line (the line must be cut squarely for proper connection to the carburetor).

  INSTALLING THE NEW CARBURETOR [top] 5. Install the new carburetor.

Install the new carburetor gasket.

Install the throttle cable onto the throttle linkage of the carburetor.

Install the incoming fuel line to the lower carburetor inlet.

Install the (primer) fuel line to the upper carburetor inlet.

Install the carburetor mounting screws onto the choke plate and lever.

Secure the carburetor (and choke plate) to the engine with the (2) screws. Note that the choke lever and the wavy washer must be properly aligned before tightening the upper screw.

  REASSEMBLING THE UNIT [top] 6. Reinstall the rear cover.

Reinstall the rear cover onto the engine.

Secure the rear cover with the (4) screws.

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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