ryobi string trimmer

[chuck]

My trimmer starts right up but will not idle and just starves when you press the gas.

[Mark]

Hi Chuck,

It sounds like a clogged carburetor to me. The carburetor can become clogged by dirt or other debris. The dirt may get by a damaged or missing air filter. It can enter through a crack in the fuel lines. Some tools use a foam air filter. Over time the filter itself will breakdown and create debris that will enter the carb and clog it. It is a good idea to replace the air filter at least once a year. If fuel is left sitting in an unused engine for more than a couple of months the fuel will begin to breakdown and go bad. As the fuel breaks down it will start to become gel like as well as begin to coat the internal parts of the carburetor with a varnish. The gel and varnish will plug the carburetor so that fuel can no longer flow through it. To get your engine running again you will need to either rebuild or replace the carburetor. When you replace the carburetor it is always a good idea to also replace the air and fuel filters. This helps ensure that more debris won't clog the new carburetor.

Ryobi does not offer rebuild kits for the carburetors on their trimmers so your best bet is to replace the carb. It is part #308054013.

Good luck with your repair!

-Mark