Clean the Ryobi pressure washer carburetor without removing

The carburetor is an important part of the pressure washer. Therefore, you must clean the carburetor of your pressure washer from time to time. Over time, dirt and debris get stuck inside it, leading to a clogged carburetor. If the carburetor is not cleaned correctly, your pressure washer will not work. But removing the carburetor is a lot of work. Luckily you can also clean it using a method where you do not have to remove it.

Clean the Ryobi pressure washer carburetor without removing it:

To clean the Ryobi carburetor without removing it, first access the situation to check why the carburetor needs cleaning. Then remove the air filter so that the carburetor becomes visible. Unscrew the carburetor jets and clean them using a carb cleaner or an air compressor. When finished, reassemble the parts and start your engine by adding fresh fuel

In this blog post, I will show you how to clean the Ryobi pressure washer carburetor without removing it. I will also explain the reasons behind the stalling of a pressure washer and how to fix it. And to keep your Ryobi pressure washer last for a long time, how to do some proper maintenance on the Ryobi carburetor.

Clean the carburetor Ryobi carburetor without removing it

You can clean the Ryobi pressure washer carburetor with carburetor cleaner. To do this, turn off the fuel supply to the carburetor and remove the air filter. Examine the carburetor and unscrew the carburetor jets. Clean them using some carburetor cleaner or an air compressor.

● Step 1: Analyze the situation before cleaning

As probably know, the primary function of the carburetor is to supply the correct mixture of air and gas to the engine for combustion. The engine produces power. Over time, deposits begin to develop within carburetor jets that can eventually clog them. Despite the air filter, your carburetor witnesses likely clogging issues after a specific time. Because of this, your engine can show some problems.

– Step 1.1: Ryobi initial checkup:

If your engine isn’t starting correctly, or if it just stalls after starting, or it’s not producing enough power. It probably means there are deposits in the carburetor of your engine. It is time to service your carburetor. If you’re less experienced, we recommend avoiding disassembling the entire carburetor and first try cleaning it without completely removing it.

– Step 1.2: Record your steps:

Always take some pictures or a video from the whole process. These pictures give you a better idea of where to put the parts during their assembly.

● Step 2: Expose the Ryobi carburetor by removing some of the outer components

This step is where the disassembly starts. Use the following steps:

– Step 2.1: Remove the Ryobi air filter:

The air filter is located at the exterior of the pressure washer adjacent to the fuel tank. It will be easy to remove. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws securing it. Now that it has come off, it might be good to clean it using soap water. A dirty air filter might be one of the reasons that led to the carburetor’s clogging in the first place. If your Ryobi pressure uses a paper air filter, it can not be cleaned. Dirty paper air filters always have to be replaced.

– Step 2.2: Remove the fuel lines:

Now that your carburetor is visible after removing the air filter. Detach the fuel lines leading to it using nose pliers. Keep a plastic bottle close that you can use to drain the remaining gas. Note that in most cases, the entire gas tank needs to be drained. This is a good idea anyway, as it is probably the primary source from where the dirt came from in the first place. A yellowish fuel means that it has become stale.

– Step 2.3: Unscrew the jets:

After draining the gas, use a wrench to unscrew the bolt underneath your carburetor bowl (which also has a jet). You should be able to remove the bowl after the nut securing it has come off. Slowly remove the gaskets and check if it is still in good condition. If not, I recommend replacing it. Assess your float by pressing it. If it gives a clicking sound, it means that the needle is going precisely into its original position, and that is how it needs to be. Place the jets and the bowl separately so in a container so that they can be cleaned.

● Step 3: Clean the Ryobi Carburetor components

The parts that have been removed can now be cleaned:

– Step 3.1: Cleaning the jets:

The nut that secures the bowl is also the main jet with a tiny hole for air. This jet is a common part where deposits can be found. There are several ways to clean it. You can use a thin metal wire and poke it through the small hole, to remove any dirt. You can also use some carburetor cleaner to clean the carburetor and spray some of it onto the jet. If you see some flakes on the nut’s side, it is always better to remove them using sandpaper.

– Step 3.2: Cleaning the Ryobi carburetor bowl:

Before cleaning the bowl, first, check whether it can be reused or not. If you notice scales or rusts inside, it probably makes more sense to replace it with a new one. In case you want to clean it, first, use some carburetor cleaner. And when it has done its work, scrub it with sandpaper.

– Step 3.3: Spray the interior of the Ryobi carburetor with carburetor cleaner:

To effectively clean the rest of the carburetor, I recommend using carburetor cleaner. Using an air compressor is also helpful in blowing away all kinds of loose dirt. Spray carburetor cleaner all over the carburetor. Spray the inside again and also spray some on the outside. Wait several minutes to let the cleaner do its work cleaning the dirt.

● Step 4: Reassembly of the Ryobi carburetor

After cleaning the various carburetor parts, you can reassemble the parts. Use the images or video if you are not sure how things should be assembled. First, secure the jets and the gasket. Screw the bowl nut tightly and use a dry rag to clean it from the outside gently. Connect the fuel lines back to the carburetor and secure them in place by tightening their claps. Put the air filter back. The Ryobi carburetor cleaning is now done. Add fresh gas and start the engine to check if your initial problems are solved.

Why does my Ryobi pressure washer keep stalling?

The most common reason behind the stalling of your Ryobi pressure washer is a defective spark plug, a clogged carburetor, or faulty ignition. A damaged flywheel may also cause your pressure washer to stall.

If your Ryobi pressure washer is stalling, there can be multiple reasons:

● Reason 1 – Ryobi pressure washer is stalling: Spark plug

A defective spark plug is one of the main reasons behind a pressure washer not starting. Carbon can start building on the electrodes preventing your pressure washer from correctly starting. Check and clean the spark plugs. If they are really dirty, replace them.

● Reason 2 – Ryobi pressure washer is stalling: Clogged carburetor

A clogged carburetor can also be the reason behind the stalling of your Ryobi pressure washer. If you do not use your pressure washer for some time (from 2 months), the gas evaporates and leaves behind thick contaminants clog in the carburetor. You can solve this issue by following the procedure mentioned above to clean the carburetor.

● Reason 3 – Ryobi pressure washer is stalling: Ignition coil

If your pressure washer is still stalling, a faulty ignition coil could also be the reason. After examining the spark plug, check the ignition coil. Ensure that it is in good working order. To do this, you can use an ignition coil tester.

● Reason 4 – Ryobi pressure washer is stalling: Flywheel

The flywheel is used as a safety precaution in a Ryobi pressure washer. It serves the purpose of protecting the engine against any opposing force that could cause the engine to stop. If you find that it is difficult to start your pressure washer, inspect the flywheel. Take it off and examine the key.

Ryobi pressure washer starts then stalls

If your pressure washer starts but then stalls, check the carburetor of your Ryobi pressure washer. It is probably dirty. Also, check that the fuel vent is allowing air to enter the gas tank. And check the fuel filter and air filter for any clog or dirt. The last part to inspect is the spark arrestor. Over time soot can build upon it.

There are many possible reasons that your pressure washer may stall after starting. If you are less familiar with these types of engines, this can be annoying. But fixing it is often not that hard. Use the following steps:

● Step 1: Check the carburetor

If your pressure washer is not starting or stalling after starting, it may be due to a clogged carburetor. As explained earlier, gas can go bad if you keep it in your pressure washer for some time (a few months). Part will evaporate, leaving behind some thicker particles that clog the carburetor. This can result in your Ryobi pressure washer stalling. You can clean the clogged carburetor using carburetor cleaner, as explained earlier.

● Step 2: Examine the fuel cover

The second step is checking the fuel cap. In the fuel cap is a small hole to allow the air to enter into the gas tank. Examine the fuel vent for any blockage. If it is clogged, it will cause vapor lock. A blocked fuel vent won’t allow the air to enter the fuel tank. This will restrict the flow of fuel towards the carburetor and cause the engine to stall. You can identify this problem by loosening the fuel cap and then starting the engine. If you can keep the engine running after doing this, then the fuel vent is blocked and to be cleaned or replaced.

● Step 3: Check the fuel filter

Next, check the fuel filter. It can also be clogged. A clogged fuel filter restricts the flow of fuel due to dirt and deposits. Drain the old fuel from the pressure washer and replacing it with new fuel. Clean the dirty filter, or replace it.

● Step 4: Check the air filter

If your Ryobi pressure washer is still stalling after following the above steps, check the air filter. A clogged air filter does not allow enough air to mix with the fuel in the carburetor. And can make the engine stall after starting.

● Step 5: Check the spark arrestor

In a pressure washer, the spark arrestor helps to prevent the engine from emitting sparks. With time, because of the soot, the spark arrestor can get clogged. This can cause the engine to stall. If you find any soot on the spark arrestor, clean it with a wire brush. If it is really dirty, it may need to be replaced.

Ryobi carburetor maintenance

To maintain the performance of your pressure washer, it is important to do timely maintenance. There are some essential things you should look not forget:

Check the engine lubricant and air filter every time you use the pressure washer. Change the lubricant every month or after 20 hours of operation. Clean the air filter after using the pressure washer for 50 hours and change it every 300 hours of operation. Properly maintain the carburetor of your pressure washer. Use fresh and clean fuel. If you do not use your pressure washer for more than 2 months, use a gas stabilizer in the gas tank and other gas you store. Check and adjust the spark plug from time to time. Replace it if it not in good condition. Depending on the usage, the average life of the spark plug is one year.

We have made a small table with the different Ryobi pressure washer maintenance tasks:

Ryobi Pressure Washer Carburetor

You can find Ryobi pressure washer carburetors at your local dealer and online. There are both genuine Ryobi replacements parts and third-party carburetors available. Ensure that it is compatible with your particular model.

I also recommend purchasing a Ryobi carburetor kit or a rebuild kit. This should contain Ryobi replacement gaskets, seals, diaghrams and other necessary components to rebuild your carburetor.