How to Clean a Two-Cycle/Two-Stroke Engine Carburetor

Learn how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble a 2 cycle engine carburetor with the help of this tool repair video.
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[@FIXTechGuides]

We are glad we could help you even if you didn't need any parts for this repair. Our goal is to not only offer the best parts ordering website on the internet but to also offer as much repair help as we can to the DIY community. Thanks for watching, -Mark

[@L2fish]

I have cleaned a lot of these with no results until I started removing the screen and cleaning under it. Makes all the difference in the world. Small engine mechanic tipped me off on this. Bend a pin and grab the side of the screen. Comes out easy if your lucky and no damage.

[@FIXTechGuides]

The metal disc is part of the diaphragm. It is the part that makes contact with the metering lever. The metal disc should face down or toward the carburetor body. You are correct about the gasket. I'll admit it... I made a mistake. The diaphragm should be above the gasket. The proper reassembly order is, from carb body working out, gasket, diaphragm, cap. Sorry for the confusion. -Mark

[@phillipkramer6638]

I am glad to see you mentioning the spring that loves to go flying. First time I took apart a dead carb to see what makes it tick that piece almost hit me in the face and I never found it in the garage again

[@kilts4u2]

As an added tip. . .I've found that I can use a thin sewing needle to physically go into the orifices and clean out any gunk that's been built up. . mainly from ethanol treated gasoline (which is a bad idea to use in carburetors). Quite often carb cleaner simply won't clean out these orifices totally. I spent a LOT of time going through the pangs of trying to get string trimmers and later, chain saws , running until I was schooled on the problems with ethanol additives. It's a major hassle. If you can get 100% gasoline, it's highly recommended that you use it in your 2 and 4 cycle engines. There's a class action lawsuit involving small engine builders against this gas. Unfortunately, it's often the only thing available. Nice video. Well stated.

[@slk230red]

Great video...My TroyBilt weed wacker wouldn't start so I followed your instructions and cleaned the carburetor. Voila, it started right up. So now that I felt confident, I pulled out my Craftsman blower that quit running last summer. When I removed the carburetor I noticed the fuel lines were cracked. I cleaned the carburetor, replaced the fuel lines and it wouldn't start. The cylinder sleeve was loose so I tightened it up and she fired right up. Thanks eReplacementParts,

[@nkoenig4501]

Tremendous resource. Detailed, clear, accurate and complete. Very professional. Thank you.

[@dnsmithnc]

One thing I would additionally recommend is that you protect yourself from contact with the carb cleaner and, in fact, all similar chemical. They will have a cumulative negative impact on all bodily systems especially the kidneys, liver and nervous system. Moreover, they could possibly be carcinogenic and, like many carcinogens, the resulting cancer might not appear until decades later.

[@tysdad0113]

thanks for the video Mark. Its very instructive to people like myself. It helps people like me that needs a little instruction on the simple repairs that drive me crazy every spring. Also I was told to use non-ethanol fuel at the local co-op to keep debri down in the carbs on my small engines.

[@FIXTechGuides]

@pariskdx200 No, not a problem. You'll just want to let the carburetor completely dry before reassembling it. Great questions, and thanks for watching!

[@FIXTechGuides]

@AmoureuseTouti You're very welcome, AmoureuseTouti. To be able to answer your question about your pressure washer more specifically, we'd have know your machine's model number to find out if pump assemblies for that model are currently available from the manufacturer. Feel free to post your washer's model number here or head over to eReplacementParts*com and use the model number search. The model number search will take you to your washer's parts page and breakdown schematic.

[@FIXTechGuides]

@LogosWins Thanks! I'm glad we where able to help you out. Good to hear that your trimmer is running again. -Mark

[@slonegan]

Thank you! Had a Stihl FS 55R that wasn't working... came across this... demystified the process for me, and 30 minutes later it's running like new. Thanks again!

[@nlimchua]

Great presentation. Straightforward and to the point. No B.S. - I like it that way.

[@twinhd6376]

thanks for taking the time to help us folk who havent stripped a carb before,my lawn is back to normal, from down here in west wales uk

[@johngivler4107]

So helpful, thought with a Roybi trimmer for a weekend. Cleaning worked great!

[@gregguettler5145]

Great video - thanks for the information. Question: In section 130-150 of the video the removal layering of the diaphragm gasket would appear to be carb->gasket->diaphragm->cover. In section 733-745 of the video you show the reassembly as carb->diaphragm->gasket->cover. Does the order matter?

[@dnsmithnc]

A very well presented video but, I have went through this cleaning procedure and sometimes it just doesn't work. I even tried soaking the carb in carburetor cleaner for days. Didn't work. What finally did was taking a tip from a long time small engine mechanic Basically, after removing all rubber parts, you boil the carburetor in a strong solution of Tide detergent. Apparently, varnish can be so tough and plentiful that a little spraying or even soaking in carb cleaner just won't do any good. I even tried going through the portals with guitar wire as was suggested by one mechanic. When I got through boiling one carb that I was having problems with, after trying everything in this video and more, I ended up with a skim of something on top of the water which I took to be more varnish. Once put back on the engine, it ran like a top.

[@FIXTechGuides]

dnsmithnc Thank you for the advice and feedback! Always great to hear about people's repair experiences.

[@JustinCrediblename]

thank you. how strong of a solution?

[@dnsmithnc]

***** Justin, I just can't tell you exactly as I didn't take note of how much I put in. Maybe a couple of tablespoons, (not soup spoons) for a 1 1/2 quart pot. I can say that you need to have the Tide thoroughly dissolved before putting in the part. Also, make sure rubber or gasket parts are taken off. In addition, make sure the carburetor is thoroughly rinsed off after removing. The best way is transfer the carburetor to clean hot water, boil it for a for a minute or two then thoroughly rinse off with cool water as soon as you can. You want to make sure you don't leave any detergent in the carburetor as it will stop up the ports/passageways as well. Good luck.

[@KendrickArnett]

Great video, thanks for sharing it. I've got a 3 year old trimmer that purred along last year and won't start this season... and your videos should help me get it running again.

[@sudhapavanamam]

I am the principal of Sri neelakanteswara ITi. These all videos are very very useful to our trainees

[@country1998]

Really a good video. Thanks for your effort in making it to help out those of us who can use all the help we can get.

[@samiches2008]

That carb is a ZAMA C1U-H60D and a full rebuild kit is a ZAMA RB-29, which is commonly available from many online sources. Even the sponsor, E-Replacement Parts, sells them!

[@adamandlorraine]

Thanks this helped me fix a badly running chainsaw (clogged spark arrester screen) and a non starting strimmer. (new spark plug) clear and methodical instructions. Nice.

[@jddavis7683]

Thanks for taking the time for sharing the video. I did think it was intuitive and enjoyed watching.

[@FIXTechGuides]

Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!

[@walleyewilly8085]

Nice video, It was fairly accurate except for the diaphragm gasket. You will also need to break the plastic anti tamper piece off the Hi and lo mixture screws and clean them. Just take note on how far they were turned out.

[@FIXTechGuides]

@slonegan That is great to hear! Glad we where able to help! -Mark

[@boilersrock1]

Thanks for posting this! I happen to have a Ryobi weed trimmer as well, so this video works perfectly for me.

[@Leopena91]

Hey mark I work at a lawn mower parts store and I came to realize that for the rhino carburetors the Zama carburetor kits with part number Gnd-12 or Gnd-18 have worked for my customers. Try it!

[@kidmedia1]

Thank you SO much. someone gave me a multi tool engine and i watched your videos closley practicing on the engine the guy gave me. i've stripped it,cleaned it and now waiting for the new primer bulb to arrive so I can start the engine. Your videos are straitforward ,clear and helpful. I thank you for that,now i know a lot about 2 strokes in just few days. Happy :)

[@superwaffanator]

Outstanding video! Thanks for the effort. It is very helpful!

[@jakbuji7981]

Excellent video and instructions,very clear and easy way to get it right,and if one cannot follow this simple instructions,perhaps shouldn't touch the carb.

[@phillric97]

Ryobi generally use carbon copies of Zama carbs, in this instance I believe a set of diaphragms and gaskets are available for this carb under Zama part no. GND-18

[@wildflowr]

AWESOME!!!!! Thank you so much for this video! I just cleaned my first 2 stroke carburetor ....... SUCCESSFULLY!!!! :)

[@MrFreerideForever]

Thanks brah. I got a Homelite 25cc trimmer that has exactly that carb on it & it only runs with the choke full on. Throttle has no effect & half choke or choke off stalls it. I disassembled the carb as much as in the video except I left the needle in & it looked fairly clean so I didn't clean it. I did take out that fine screen though (was easy to do) & it had some dirt in it. Not enough to plug it though.

[@ItsMeScareCro]

Both my weedeater and blower died on the same day. I'm thinking it might have been some bad gas/oil, but I switched to the trufuel to try it and it tries to fire a lot easier, but now is time to clean the carbs. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Wish me luck! lol, damn it.

[@FIXTechGuides]

@Mr70Cenzo Great suggestion. I have a box on my bench but it seems that in the heat of the repair I never remember to put them on! Thanks for watching, -Mark

[@kennylewis1981]

I love your videos. PLEASE keep them coming. May I ask why the adjusting screws (Hi and Low) were not also cleaned? A newbie.

[@toddfromplainfieldil1116]

Thanks for the video. Just helped me clean the Carb on my Craftsman line trimmer.

[@edjuan8213]

Does it matter if you flip flop the placement of the diaphragm? I noticed the butterfly metal of the thingy is facing you when you disassembled it but away from you when you put it back..

[@MrJubbley]

Excellant tutorial ! Thank you Mark, I look forward to more videos.

[@MrGameengineer]

This was so helpful thank you so much. I have a Ryobi SS26 and the carburetor is very similar to what you show.

[@MegaGuitman]

I found that using a 12 gauge plain (not wound) guitar string will work cleaning the tiny holes..any gummy stuff in there away.

[@Growla]

All your videos are very well done. Thank you.

[@jeangodefroy2180]

Merci. Très bien expliqué et belle vidéo.

[@1HBPlayer]

No problem at all. Thanks for clarifying. And mostly, thanks for the video! By now I have actually found documentation on my Zama carb. Re-assembly is no longer an issue. Turns out my problem was hi/lo adjustment screws. So now it's clean and working great!

[@tylerhoffman7299]

Does anyone notice how red his knuckle joints are? Be cautious if you want to keep healthy lungs, spray with adequate ventilation and outdoors preferably, try to contain drain off fluids if possible, if you want to keep your hands, wear chemical resistant gloves, and lastly invest the meager 1.88 for a pair of safety glasses to protect one of the two most vital assets you possess before using such chemicals as Acetone, Xylene. Toluene, Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), Ethyl Benzene, 2-Butoxyethanol, and propane. Most of these 'ingredients' are present in carb cleaner. Take a moment to read and understand any labels. Cheers!

[@leannemattia04]

thanks so much. I really appreciate the detail!!

[@mehdy782005]

Thank you so much for the good videos 😎

[@mracca]

Thank you for the video. You instructions were clean and the video was good.

[@FIXTechGuides]

It sounds to me like one of the gaskets or the reed valves may have been reassembled upside down. This will block the carb passages, basically stopping fuel flow through the carb. I hope this helps, -Mark

[@FIXTechGuides]

@MrFerrariman1 That is great! Glad we could help! Thanks for watching. -Mark

[@geoffreyc-s1457]

Excellent video, and was vey helpful in repairing the carburettor on my line trimmer! However, I must make a few comments. Always wear safety glasses when using compressed air, aerosol cans, or when disassembling springs. A spring may indeed "fly across the shop" and disappear, but it may also fly up and hit you in the eye. Compressed air (even at low pressure) can relocated dirt and debris into your eye with serious consequences. A good pair of safety glasses will cost you $5.00 so it is money well spent. Cheap disposable gloves are also a good idea when using cleaners or solvents! Otherwise, thanks for the tips.

[@offdatgogo]

Great video, thanks! This will be my rainy day project.

[@williamdonnelly8783]

Thank you for the video showing how to service a small carburetor, the problem I have with mine is when I start it and let it warm up as soon as I try to speed up it just splutters and stops, I have sprayed carb cleaner in it but still no good, any help would be brilliant.

[@extendedp1]

my ryobi ss26 does the same thing. I was going to try and clean it, but maybe that isn't the problem. Did you get yours working?

[@northernwoodsmen]

Great video helped a lot but you might want to press the use of safety glasses when using carb cleaner it burns like hell when you get as much as the mist in your eyes so guys and gals use safety glasses again great video thanks my unit runs great.

[@kahvac]

Excellent video ! Thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@ChaGiaDanToc]

Thanks Mark. What a great videos that you have made.

[@elguaguero23]

Great video , thank you for sharing

[@moonreft]

Great vid thanks, I need to get 2 of these Ryobi carbs done this afternoon.

[@leslieparra9874]

e replament keep up the good work your are doing a good job

[@barrypearson8449]

Great video and well explained but failed to show checking and clean needle and arm level for correct fuel intake

[@tmdaexhibits]

Thanks for this. I've got a Sears bushwacker with stalling problems. I bet this will fix it.

[@FIXTechGuides]

@MrFerrariman1 Glad you found our video helpful! -Mark

[@6entley]

Very useful. Fixed the problem

[@mkranc]

I noticed that the high and low needles weren't removed for this cleaning. Isn't that required for a thorough cleaning? I believe that carb cleaner contains MEK which is highly carcinogenic, rapidly absorbed through the skin and is associated with liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) with long term or repeated exposure.

[@gregbonawitz3986]

Excellent video. Thank you so much (I feel bad that cleaning it was enough and that I didn't have to order any parts from you...although I will keep you guys in mind the next time I need parts).

[@tstfrd]

Good video, thanks for sharing.

[@lylepayne7162]

This guy is a genius...thanks

[@CharlesAAlmond]

Excellent video...Thanks Mark...take care.

[@justinjohnston8704]

Is there a video of yours that explains how to adjust a carb without a tach? I've been trying and trying on this Stihl I have but just can't do it. I took it to the local shop they wanted four days! For a five minute job! I have the special flat end screw driver Stihl has to do it too. Thier factory settings of one turn out are fine if the saw just idles, but if I run the saw through one peice of wood it never idles down.

[@SCHNEIDER2862]

Good job. Good video.

[@MrRickb4]

Mark, great job on the rebuild video!

[@jaker5555]

Beautifully presented. Thank you. I wonder if it's possible to simply use the cleaner straight in the the fuel lines, without pulling it apart?

[@AmanSharmaAgnihotri]

Thanks brother for this video

[@joninrockies]

Wonderful video, but there is no mention of disassembling or cleaning the mixture adjustment screws.

[@worldskater31]

Great instructional!! Wish everyone did how tos like this

[@graggcain9496]

I have a echo pb2100 leaf blower. It starts and runs but when I give it gas it boggs down but still runs. does the carb need to be cleaned? or is it in the idle screws. Gragg Cain

[@nikolmarston9013]

you need to adjust your carb while it's running, rev it out and adjust the carb screw should work : )

[@OzPablo1]

Thanks for sharing - I'm now thinking it's worth a noob like attempting before buying a new one. Cheers

[@smiloch]

you might want to put a little call-out on the video at about 7:33 to bring attention to this error, as some people may not read the comments.

[@Z71Ranger]

You need to correct this video.The diaphragm gasket goes on first then the diaphragm then the cover plate. No way the engine will run the way you have it now. I think you got it mixed up with the reed valve. It goes reed valve, gasket then plate.Other than that the video is great.

[@betosvwbug72]

You are awesome thanks very much

[@edwardflores9969]

FYI...Wear your PPE's when doing instruction videos. Just in case, your PPE's are your Personal Protective Equipment such as nitrile gloves and safety glasses when handling chemicals and blowing off chemicals with compressed air.

[@wbgator1]

Beautiful, nice job., very professional. Thanks

[@tthoy7338]

you should correct the video. On the side with the plate the gasket should be placed first on the carb body then the diaphragm.

[@MrD50boy]

I'll be doing this over the weekend! My Ryobi CS30 will only run after being primed... as soon as I give it throttle, it will bog down and run slower and slower then die. I'm guessing that carb is gunked up.

[@shazaidi]

I have a troy built 2-cycle. The carburetor is Walbro. You can get an entire re-build kit with primer bulb from ebay for like 10 bucks. I just finished taking my carb apart and cleaning it. The fuel lines were deteriorted and the primer bulb was cracked.

[@patmac]

I have been running 100low lead aviation gas in my 2 strokes for years.. Never a problem if carbs are clean to start w/ and proper maint is maintained.

[@MrD50boy]

I'll be doing this over the weekend! My ryobi CS30 will only run after being primed... as soon as I give it throttle, it will bog down and run slower and slower and die.

[@tskipwadoo3447]

I did all of this. I changed the plug, air filter and gas too. My Stihl grass trimmer still won't start. So I bought a Dewalt battery grass trimmer, problem solved !

[@shelbyob1]

I agree, same thing, I would not buy another Ryobi product. They just dont last more than a season or two.

[@frankhoward7645]

Ryobi engines, just like most other small engines don't last more than a season or two because they collect debris in the small orifices in the carb. Cleaning them is an intregral part of maintainence.

[@oxcudar]

Thank you! Great instructional video.

[@BuckChoklitt]

Hey Mark, I just followed this video and got my Ryobi running again--but now it will only run at full choke, and it runs at full RPM. Any ideas for me?

[@HeavyboxesDIYMaster]

At 7:29 ... It's my understanding it should be gasket first then diaphragm.

[@MetroSA-227]

Thank you for sharing. Made me nervous watching you spray carburetor cleaner without safety glasses.

[@shadovanish]

Ryobi may not offer a rebuild kit for the carburetor, but the carb is probably made by Walbro (or some other carb mfg.), not Ryobi. Usually, the carb mfg. & model can be found on the carb body, which will allow for the proper rebuilt kit to be obtained. Most small engine shops have, or can get carb rebuild kits, or carb rebuild kits can be obtained from on line small engine suppliers.

[@annesteele9806]

WHAT IF NO CARB CLEANER TO HAND? WOT DO I USE AND ALSO I HAVE NO PRIME BULB IS MINE THE THROTTLE PRIMER?? PLS HELP

[@claytonbigsby9875]

Great video. Wear rubber gloves when using carb cleaner!!! Also these carbs are so cheap they're not worth cleaning/rebuilding - especially since there is no rebuild kit. Just replace it.

[@sheilamoatts8848]

The diaphragm and diaphramm gasket were put back on the carbirator in the wrong order.

[@midnightsremedy]

thank you

[@202meyersville]

.Excellent instructive video

[@carlosestrada3107]

Hi Mark, awesome video I followed the steps and actually ended rebuilding my carburetor. So I finally got to turn on, but it will stay on only with the choke engaged. When I give it gas, the choke disengages and engine will accelerate erratically and then shuts off. Any thoughts