Tools & Materials
String trimmer out of whack? 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 crankcase cover gasket forms a seal between the crankcase and the crankcase cover (also known as the carburetor mounting assembly). If you've noticed any oil leaking from this area on your trimmer, the crankcase cover gasket should solve the problem. Also, any time the crankcase cover is removed, this gasket should be replaced. Replacing the gasket is easy to do.
This article provides step-by-step instructions for removing and installing the crankcase cover gasket on a Ryobi trimmer.
Let's get started.
REMOVING THE CRANKCASE COVER GASKET [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.
3. Remove the carburetor mounting assembly (and the fuel tank).
Remove the (4) screws from the carburetor mounting assembly.
Slide the end of the throttle cable through the opening in the carburetor mounting assembly.
Remove the carburetor mounting assembly from the trimmer (this assembly includes the fuel lines and the fuel tank.
4. Remove the crankcase cover gasket.
Remove the crankcase gasket from the carburetor mounting assembly.
Use a razor blade to scrape away any old gasket material.
INSTALLING THE NEW CRANKCASE COVER GASKET [top] 5. Install the new crankcase cover gasket.
There were two different types of crankcase cover gaskets used on this particular engine model. The kit includes both the standard (fiber) gasket and a (rubber) o-ring-style gasket. Use whichever style of gasket was originally installed on your trimmer.
Install the new crankcase cover gasket onto the back of the carburetor mounting assembly.
REASSEMBLING THE UNIT [top] 6. Reinstall the carburetor mounting assembly (with fuel tank).
Verify that the rubber tank isolator is properly positioned on the engine.
Install the fuel tank onto the engine.
Install the second tank isolator (rubber) onto the tank-side of carburetor mounting assembly.
Verify that the crankcase gasket is still positioned on the bottom of the carburetor mounting assembly.
Install the carburetor mounting assembly onto the engine.
Secure the carburetor mounting assembly (and the fuel tank) to the engine with the (4) screws.
7. Reinstall the carburetor
Install the carburetor gasket (if necessary).
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.
8. 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.