Ryobi weed wacker problems

[e-tek]

My WACKER won't accelerate. It starts (hard), then won't accelerate. I took it all apart, cleaned filter, gapped plug, took carb out, played with all settings....same deal....

 

[pattenp]

How old of a weed whacker? Do run the fuel out at the end of each season? If its got some age on it, plus if you don't run the fuel out before storing then you may have some varnish build up in the fuel jets. Normal cleaning won't clear the varnish out the jets. You need to run a piece if fine wire through the ports the clear out the varnish.

 

[Bear]

Yep - cost me $45 to have a shop "overhaul" carb. Runs great now. D%$# 2strokes - I'll never understand them.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Clean out the muffler

 

[larry4406]

+1 on the muffler. i have had 2 strokes plug the muffler so bad they would idle perfect but not accelerate.

 

[Gary S]

It is sad, but it seems there is an unwritten rule somewhere that 2 stroke engines aren't supposed to work right. Their main function in this world is to frustrate their owners.

 

[JCQuick]

I have 3 of them when they do that i just buy another power head last time it cost me $80.00 and the new ones have a 3 year warranty and i know it will not make it though that.
I don't know what it is with those things I'm not stupid when it comes to engines but the ryobis have woon the battle

 

[cheap bastard]

There are about 6 parts in a 2 stroke wacker carb. A kit costs less than 15 bucks at the most expensive place in town. An old butter tub or coffee can, some carb cleaner, fine wire and a non-metallic brush will do wonder. Even if your uncomfortable with carbs, they are quick and easy to take care of yourself. Next carb job I do, maybe I'll remember to take some pics and show how easy it can be.

 

[Torque1st]

For those of you that have trouble with your small 2-cycle engines:

Always run the weed whacker at FULL throttle (you know, read the F^&*#&@% manual). If you play with the throttle and run it at part throttle it will carbon up and plug the exhaust.

 

[gsport]

my echo was less than a year old when it started doing the same thing.. i took it back to home depot and they just replaced it for me....

 

[yhprum]

I had a riyobi that did the same thing. After numerous cleanouts, I donated it to the recycle bin. Same thing with my two stroke leave blowers. The electric one works every time and now I dont mind the power cord at all!

 

[JCQuick]

There are about 6 parts in a 2 stroke wacker carb. A kit costs less than 15 bucks at the most expensive place in town. An old butter tub or coffee can, some carb cleaner, fine wire and a non-metallic brush will do wonder. Even if your uncomfortable with carbs, they are quick and easy to take care of yourself. Next carb job I do, maybe I'll remember to take some pics and show how easy it can be.

I am very familier with 2 strokes i raced Moto cross in the 70's /80's and 2 of my sons Have YZ125 and a Banshie that has been apart many times.
and the 1st thing in carb repair is never ever poke a wire through a passage. big no no.
I'm not afraid of carb's both my VW's have Webers

 

[pattenp]

I am very familier with 2 strokes i raced Moto cross in the 70's /80's and 2 of my sons Have YZ125 and a Banshie that has been apart many times.
and the 1st thing in carb repair is never ever poke a wire through a passage. big no no.
I'm not afraid of carb's both my VW's have Webers

I've done carb repair on both motorcycles and ATV's and would never use a wire and know that it's a no no. But on a low cost weed whacker I wouldn't worry about it. I was wondering when someone was going to come back on me for that.

 

[Torque1st]

Instead of a wire that can scratch or nick a passage or orifice, -use a nylon bristle from a broom or cheap paint brush.

 

[logical]

I have the Ryobi with all the attachments. They actually all work pretty well. The line trimmer has held up to abuse although I think I put an aftermarket spool on it. The edger works nice. I bought a refurb. long pruner (little chainsaw on a stick) that works. About every 5 years the power head gives up the ghost and I trash it and get a new one for $80. They also sell a 4 cycle head but it is more than twice as much.

They usually make funny noises after a year but generally always start until one day they just won't. If I wasn't invested in all the attachments I'd move to a better brand. Maybe one day I'll get a full set of redmax or stihl gear but for now $16/year isn't too bad.

 

[Ed T]

If you haven't already done it, change the fuel filter in the tank. When they get clogged up, the carb can't pull enough fuel. They are a bit of a PITA to change. I usually replace the fuel line at the same time and install the filter on an over length piece of line as follows.
1) pull out the old filter and line.
2) Make a tapered cut on a long piece of new line and push the tapered end into the tank opening.
3) reach into the tank with needle nose pliers or a hemostat and pull the end of the new line out through the filler neck.
4) cut the new line off straight and install the new filter.
5) pull the line back into the tank from the point of entry. Leave enough extra line in the tank so you don't have to do this all again next time.
6) cut the line to the appropriate length to fit back onto the carb.
Be sure to get the right size line and remember that it's easy to pull the line through the little hole in the tank 'cause it gets skinny wnen you pull it. Pushing it doesn't work so well because it gets fat when you push on it.

 

[cashishift]

Buy a Stihl, problem solved.

 

[sammm]

Replace all the fuel lines and if there's an in-tank (or external) fuel filter swap it out too.

 

[bochnak]

Check for a vacuum leak. Will it idle fine and die when you hit the throttle? If no matter how much fuel you give and it bogs...you have a vacuum leak.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Buy a Stihl, problem solved.

Although I love Stihl, my 2 chainsaw's and my weed wacker are all on the fritz right now, overhauled the whacker and one of the chainsaws last year, ran great for about a month, wtf. I have been wanting a new one anyways, this gives me good reason. mmmmm the 880 is calling my name.

 

[Frank]

I think I have the longest surviving Ryobi to hear ppl talk. I'm going on 10 years now and I use it hard every season. Seldom ever gives me trouble unless my mixture is off. In 10 years I have changed the plug once, fuel filter once, primer bulb once, fuel lines twice. Usually when mine bogs its because the mixture is too rich with oil.

 

[USMCBay]

This is a great thread... I thought my Blower and Trimmer went Teets up on my around the same time - was the Mixture~! I need to redo the Fuel Lines and a Prime Bulb.

 

[mooman]

Nobody mentioned the spark arrestor if that's clogged. Check that.

 

[e-tek]

I OH'd the lines, filters and partially OH'd the carb - Stillthe same and I broke the bulb now!! AARRGHH!! Thanks to all - I'll do a proper carb OH, replace the bulb and clean the muffler (should I change the muffler bearings too!?).

If THAT doesn't fix it I'll throw another $100 at a new one!!

 

[sammm]

Something I didn't see mentioned is the gas cap. It's vented and I've read that they can get clogged and have to be replaced so it can breath.

 

[metal1313]

frank i think we are tied. mine is 9y/o now and i have yet to do a single thing to it. hell i havent even maintained it really

 

[e-tek]

Well boys, here's the results:

OH'd carb and exhaust (best I could as it's a sealed system):

Then I remixed fresh fuel and tried again - a touch better, but not much.....what else to try? Maybe I need to buy a new one?

 

[Torque1st]

Try a new muffler? Maybe open up the old one and see if it is all plugged up? Run a grinder around the crimp but leave a few tabs to bend away. A new muffler is probably cheaper than a new machine. Muffler bearings are extremely expensive and hard to get.

 

[picshooter]

Did you change the fuel pickup / filter? Even though it may appear to be ok, the pump can't lift a whole bunch of fuel. And change the fuel lines.

 

[cashishift]

Although I love Stihl, my 2 chainsaw's and my weed wacker are all on the fritz right now, overhauled the whacker and one of the chainsaws last year, ran great for about a month, wtf. I have been wanting a new one anyways, this gives me good reason. mmmmm the 880 is calling my name.

I took ours in for service as the oiler didn't look like it was working.. it was working, replaced the filter on it just to be safe.

While it was in, I had them do a tune up also.



Saw is an entirely new animal now. The chains are also much sharper at this place and seem to last alot longer.

while the 880 is nice.. i'd rather have a 362

 

[e-tek]

Well, I hate to admit defeat, but I just couldn't get it working right - plus, it continued to leak fuel even with all new hoses and filters - The filter was integral to the tank....

Of course, currently ON SALE was a Weed Eater, which is lighter and runs like a dream. Wish I could replace 5 year old cars as easily!!

Ps - thanks to all for the help offered.

 

[JPRACING]

Your problem is in the exhaust port in the head it is clogged up with oil and carbon, what you have to do is get the piston all the way up and then take a tiny screwdriver and carefully scrape out the build up in there.Also some mufflers have a spark arrestor (screen) that clogs up so either take it out and clean it or throw it away.

 

[e-tek]

Your problem is in the exhaust port in the head it is clogged up with oil and carbon, what you have to do is get the piston all the way up and then take a tiny screwdriver and carefully scrape out the build up in there.Also some mufflers have a spark arrestor (screen) that clogs up so either take it out and clean it or throw it away.

I'll certainly try that - I HATE to toss out stuff - especially stuff with MOTORS!

 

[Torque1st]

Read post #28 again....

 

[JPRACING]

I am a small engine mechanic all the way up to large trucks and large off road equipment Just make sure the piston is all the way up you don't want the build up on top of the piston good luck also in the muffler front side might be a screen that is a fine mesh take it out and chuck it, you can eliminate the muffler by starting it up (will be loud) and see how it revs up