How to Adjust the Ryobi Carburetor

Ryobi Outdoor Products is a well-known manufacturer of gasoline-powered lawn maintenance products, including string trimmers. In North America, Techtronic Industries North America Inc. manufactures Ryobi gasoline-powered lawn tools, though the units still carry the Ryobi name. If the engine on your trimmer is running rough, racing or idling too low, you should adjust the carburetor for optimum performance. This a straightforward task requiring only one common hand tool.

Low Engine Idle Speed

• 1

  Start the trimmer as you normally would, allowing time for the engine to warm up.

• 2

  Release the throttle trigger, if the engine stalls, the idle is set too low.

• 3

  Locate the choke dial. It will be installed on the side of the engine nearest the primer bulb. Immediately to the left of the choke dial base are the choke settings. Midway between the "Half Choke" and "Run" labels, you will see a small round access hole.

• 4

  Insert your screwdriver through the access hole and onto the idle adjustment screw.

• 5

  Turn the screw in a clockwise direction approximately 1/8 turn. Restart the trimmer. If the idle speed has increased sufficiently to prevent the engine from stalling, you are finished. If not, repeat the process until you can release the throttle trigger and the engine continues to run.

High Engine Idle Speed

• 1

  Start the trimmer as you normally would, allowing time for the engine to warm up.

• 2

  Release the throttle trigger. If the engine whines or races, the idle is set too high. Shut the engine off.

• 3

  Locate the choke dial. It will be installed on the side of the engine nearest the primer bulb. Immediately to the left of the choke dial base are the choke settings. Midway between the "Half Choke" and "Run" labels, you will see a small round access hole.

• 4

  Insert your screwdriver through the access hole and onto the idle adjustment screw.

• 5

  Turn the screw in a counterclockwise direction approximately 1/8 turn. Restart the trimmer. If the engine no longer races, you are finished. If not, repeat the process until you can release the throttle trigger and the engine idles smoothly without whining.