QuestionQUESTION: Have a Ryobi 4 cycle trimmer. Read the FAQs but I'm still stumped. Runs only on full choke, as you move it to partial choke, it revs fast and dies (hot or cold#. Replaced fuel lines, filter #easy when you cut the hose to a point and tie it with a string to get it thrum the tank hole#,replaced the primer bulb, rebuilt the Zama C1Q P8 carb twice after soaking it in the dip style carb solution for 3 days #3 days cause it was older solution#. Cleaned all passages but with spray carb cleaner but didn't touch the welch plug #Zama instructions scared me from doing that- should I?#.Can the check valve be a contributor to the problem? Took off the muffler and cleaned all the carbon I could out of it #doesn't seem restricted in the least#. Tried running it without the muffler. 1st start after rebuild without muffler, it ran for a few min at idle but never again #maybe because I overprimed#. Mixture screw doesn't seem that responsive as when it works correctly. Set both screws #high idle and mixture) at 1.5 turns out from seated.
Spark plug is clean and dry not carbon coated up when it runs. Compression is 105 wet or dry. Spent more time and money than its worth but I don't usually quit on things. Probably will buy a new unit regardless but it would be a nice backup. Any suggestions before I resort to violence -lol?
ANSWER: Hello Dave:
>>Always Remove the Spark Plug Wire/s from the Spark Plug/s before Working on Any Small Engine unless the Plug/s must be Connected to the Coil/s for Diagnostic Reasons.
>>The Violence Part is Funny, but then Not. LOL.
>>I Used to get the Same Way with Equipment Problems like yours. After Many Frustrated Years, Not so Much Any More.
>>Did you put the Adjustment Screws back into the Original Holes?
>>There is a Difference in the Adjustment Screw Points and they MUST be in the Correct Holes in Order to Adjust the Gas/Air Mixture Correctly.
>>Did you make Sure the Carburetor Metering Needle Valve was at the Correct Setting.
>>The Metering Needle Valve Actuator should Just Touch the Metal Ear on the Rubber Diaphragm when the Diaphragm Cover is Installed onto the Carburetor during Assembly. Slightly Bend the Actuator with a Small Screwdriver if Required for Adjusting.
>>If this is Set Incorrectly, you will have the Problem you Described.
>>If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I Hope to be Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 5 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Marked adjustment screws with tape at removal but checked them again (mixture screw is longer) I even reversed them- no impact. They are in correctly (actually switching them made little difference as you would expect).
Checked the metering needle lever/ actuator. It was level per Zama instructions and just contacting the diaphragm, but I raised it a spec as a check and no change.
Forgot to mention, about a month prior to the machine going south on me, I did adjust valves and I believe it ran well but it wasn't long after that it started to require some choke to run. (Grasping at straws lol).
Welch plug on the carb -never touched it during the rebuild- is that check valve underneath a potential issue? I'm assuming not since I didn't receive any direction regarding the valve. If we give up on this beast, I will tear off the Welch plug and take a look as a last resort.
Spark plug normally disconnected when servicing.
Sir, I do require additional assistance. Fix it or not, I appreciate your professional assistance. Its an impressive site for me-interested in many things DIY.
ANSWER: Hello Again Dave:
>>I Hopefully will be here Until we Correct this Problem of we Both Throw a Fit and Junk it. LOL.
>>You might be on to Something mentioning the Valve Clearances.
>>Check the Clearances and Open the Clearances Slightly.
>>The Valve Clearances May be the cause of this Problem after all.
>>I have Read your Description of the Problem and All the Repairs/Maintenance you have Performed and Feel you have Done everything Correctly, so we nee to Look at the Valves Next.
>>As Always, If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I Hope to be Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 5 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Per your last recommendation, I checked valve clearance and even opened them up a bit. No change. Is it time for the 3 lb. Copper hammer tuneup? Runs like a banshee on choke.
Missed something in the carb? The replacement unit runs well -lol.
AnswerHello Again Dave:
>>You Missed something in the Carburetor.
>>The Old Solution may Not have Cleaned the Carburetor.
>>Did you have a Breakdown of the Carburetor as a Reference when you Cleaned and Assembled it?
>>You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Carburetor and Get Technical Information on Zama Carburetors at this Site Addy; http://www.zamacarb.com/tips.html and Select the Technical Guide.
>>As Always, If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I Hope to be Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 5 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
