Ryobi Bush Trimmer Has No Compression. Or is the Shear Key Broken? Model HT26

[@davidfrank2824]

I bought a Craftsman gas powered hedge trimmer over 10 years ago. The person I bought it from did not know much about it except it wouldn't start. He was asking 40 I gave him 20. As soon as I got back I started trying to figure out why it would not run. I have replaced most every part in the engine including the piston and cylinder. It's still will not start. I call it my white whale. I put it in a box with all the old brand new parts. Every once in awhile if I'm not doing anything I'll pull it out and mess with it. I have a couple things like that. Now that winter is here perhaps I'll have some luck and be able to fix all my own stuff for a change. Thank you for sharing this and showing not to give up until you get inside and see what's up. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Good save on the trimmer. Clutch was probably loose from the factory causing the flywheel key to shear. All of my lawn equipment is curb finds, except the riding mower. Chainsaws, weed eaters, edgers, mower, pole saw, , etc, you get the idea.

[@johnp7318]

Good work James. The "key" that's cast into the flywheel is just for "locating" the flywheel correctly. If the hole isn't "wallered out" you can put the flywheel back on in the correct orientation and tighten the nut which holds the flywheel on (the clutch in this case). The shaft taper is usually sufficient to hold the flywheel in place. In fact, sometimes you can put a little more "advance" on the flywheel and pick up a little extra power. Had this same thing happen with a Husqvarna 123L string trimmer, which is still running fine. Yours, however looks like the flywheel hole was enlarged.

[@MazichMusic]

I bought one of those drastically marked down several years ago at Home Depot. Great trimmer!

[@dwightosborn8400]

I love when a plan comes together

[@tonym6920]

At least it’s not engine failure, lol. As they say, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras., LOL. Great job James, 👍👍

[@waynebrundidge206]

I loved the oil filter wrench to tighten the clutch, specialty tool if I ever saw one. LOL 😂

[@Wingnut_Stickman]

I wonder did the owner give it a go by trying to cut through a big branch, and immediately discover the limit of their machine? Nice video, thank you for sharing.

[@hunter1953]

I have been watching a lot of your videos lately and enjoy them a lot. I recently repaired an trimmer exactly like that one and when you pulled it over i knew exactly what the problem was . Right from the factory the bolt on the flywheel was not tight enough and when it backed out it tore the key so i got another flywheel but i used some locktight on the bolt so it wouldn't happen again..

[@jcondon1]

Seems that is what happened here. It looked like this one was unused.

[@gregoryconnor9333]

an trimmer.... a trimmer.

[@ronaldnorris2179]

I have one and it had the same problem.

[@dar7771]

Good find.

[@kirkthebeerslinger]

Good job James!

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@ianritchie126]

The flywheel key is purely a timing aid , the taper holds the flywheel from spinning on the shaft .

[@johnclarke6647]

On any tapered surface, like flywheels to crank, I have learned through experience to degrease both the crank and flywheel before installing the flywheel, otherwise you can shear the key.

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Good tip,thanks

[@williamwhitehead8362]

I had a chainsaw that way and I took the square 8 inch file and file that key out where it was and put a half a key in it put it back together and it still running today that was five years ago

[@jamesdiehl8690]

Didn't you have a sleeve on the shaft for the original flywheel.

[@puchmanwal1685]

Your choice of overhead camera on this occasion is not great but as usual the content is excellent

[@wazza33racer]

reassemble with loctite on the flywheel tapered shaft...............it obviously came loose and needs some 'help'. Great video on what to expect when tearing down one of these suckers )

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@UpInSmoke54]

Are you serious!!!!! NEVER use Loctite on a tapered shaft! 🤦‍♂️It's tapered for a reason, clean to remove oily residue and torque properly.

[@wazza33racer]

@@UpInSmoke54 well OBVIOUSLY it came loose genius. Just maybe Ryobi didnt quit get the engineering right and its prone to coming loose. Given the nature of the power tool, another failure of that part is likely the end of the road for good. Increasing the bond between the 2 parts could only be a good thing. Its not like its a super expensive Ferrari engine.

[@UpInSmoke54]

@@wazza33racer If the two parts are too loose Loctite won't help in this situation, it's a tapered shaft it needs proper surface contact!

[@thomaswurtenberger3158]

I feel we need to start a go fund me page and get him a work bench.

[@jcondon1]

I have one now.

[@m3rdpwr]

Sometimes I think about going to Harbor Freight, and getting those hydraulic lift tables, that can be wheeled around. Would also double Up to make things easier to get off the truck tailgate.

[@johnp7318]

And you should have shown yourself using it!

[@eddiepatterson5025]

I love finding stuff like this. Do you remember how much you had pay for the flywheel for the Ryobi ?? Nice Score 🏁🏁👍

[@jcondon1]

I think I paid $20

[@williamwhitehead8362]

That recoil might be that spring recall and it broke the spring and then it won't move the engine look at that first

[@DJ-zt2ml]

If a piece of the flywheel is broken would it not allow the starter cord to engage. When pulling the starter cord it pulls like yours but it does not make the clicking noise. Cord is smooth when I pull it but no movement from piston. I noticed a nut dropped from trimmer after I pulled cord which hàd compression now cord does not engage. I think a piece of metal broke off flywheel.

[@d1gardner]

I bought this model. It worked okay the first few times, then it became harder and harder to start. The clutch assembly also kept coming loose so I finally used epoxy on the nut....not even LockTite worked. It quit running at all, so I tried a new carburetor.....no luck. Also, one of the fuel lines came loose in the tank. I probably got about 5-7 hours of use out of it. Bottom line: PURE JUNK You get what you pay for....no more Ryobi products!!!

[@paulwilk69]

I've just junked 2 ryobi machines , both had low compression. Poor machines , never buy one .

[@jamesdiehl8690]

Question: how do you repair or replace the Reed valve on 2 cycle engines. I think I've had or have trouble with a couple on weedeaters and chainsaws.

[@jcondon1]

Between the carburetor and the engine is the reed valve. Once the carburetor is remove you can remove the reed valve assembly.

[@jamesdiehl8690]

@@jcondon1 How do you know if the Reed valve is bad, or bent, wore out? I've heard people say take it out and bend it, or flip it over, etc... Do they get thin or soft and get weak?

[@jimv1484]

Please tell me how i can stop the flywheel clutch so i can apply the force to remove it like u did?

[@TheCSRTech]

Did you see the rope in the spark plug hole?

[@johnclarke6647]

Straight gas.

[@oldguy8177able]

this guy could sell a fridge to a eskimo

[@d1gardner]

I had the same model.....PURE GARBAGE. The clutch kept coming loose...finally solved with Loctite. In my humble opinion, Ryobi should have left threaded the clutch because the momentum and the centrifugal force when the engine would stop hard, the clutch simply spun off the shaft. It was always very hard to start. In the third season of ownership, it would not start. A new carburetor was cheap......still wouldn't start. I left it out at the street for some "lucky" soul! JUNK.....PURE JUNK!!!!

[@jcondon1]

That was probably me who picked it up.

[@jeuf5646]

@@jcondon1 hahahaha 😂🤣

[@megamus3]

If this is you "not fixing" something, what does a you fixing something video look like ?😅

[@knockywigglesworth1909]

Thus the expression "more crap from China..."

[@sureshkumarc.k6534]

you use a ryobi to fix a ryobi

[@Wingnut_Stickman]

Trimmer: "Say 'cuz, whacha up to?" Screw Driver: "Turning screws, how 'bout you?" Trimmer: "Nothing dude, feeling new, but the flywheel blew..." Screw Driver: "Patience 'cuz, soon you'll be just like new"

[@ron827]

Inexperience tends to breed jumping to conclusions. Ask me how I know. :-) Not real impressed with a mechanic who uses a rusty claw hammer as a percussive persuasion tool which works but... No regularly used tool should ever have that much rust on it plus a ball peen hammer is a more appropriate tool.

[@danielabrullo10]

Hello RON!!! I am agree with you. In 9,53 minute can see a wood carpentry hammer. I prefer use plastic material mallet. Marry Cristmas. cheers from Monza Italy