I would like to know is it required to hold the throttle to keep the ss30 running or should it idle without pressing the gas?

Dee, May 2006

I used the adjustment to the run and idle screw and now finally the thing works. Yes you can clean the carb over and over but the bottom line is the screw adjustment worked. I did use a Dremel tool to put screwdriver slots in the screws. Not sure why Ryobi thought they could make the adjustment and then it would never need to be altered later.

Gary, August 2015

My issue is when I start the unit in start mode it will stall in a few seconds. If I start it in run mode with a little throttle its fine. I have cleaned everthing and replaced the gas line and filter. I took the carb apart and cleaned it. It runs fine and all its only when the choke is in start mode. Any ideas?

Steven Ross, September 2013

Country boy was right on target, after the adjustment my machine work perfectly. Great site!

Scout, June 2013

why not buy the proper tool for the splined adjuster screws - i got one for a tenner on ebay

Wayne, July 2012

removed the plastic covers and turned the left one a little more than a quarter turn counter clockwise and th right one about a half a turn counter clockwise and it runs great......cranks with one pull and idles and throttles perfect.

countryboy, May 2012

I agree it is a piece of c**p, I will never purchase another Ryobi brand anything. That being said, I followed the steps in this forum, mixed with a little common sense and ingenuity, and my ss30 is working like a champ. This is a great site!!!Thanks to all.

Cecil, March 2012

try to change the air filter and clean or replace the muffler

it happened to me, January 2012

Well, my ss30 is on its 3rd and probably last year. yesterday I got it started and it was running at what appeard to be half throttle , even though I was not even touching the gas lever. When I pressed the gas lever it ran even faster but sounded like $hit. I killed the engine, and not it won;t start at all. Also, the primer bulb is very stuff, then I press it, it seems to have a vaccuum and does not spring back.

Aristotle, April 2011

My SS30 is about 1 year old. I had the issue of the engine quitting when the start lever(choke) was released. After reading the many posts relating to this I used a very small and slender needle nose pliers and was able to turn the carb adjustment screws. Its not very accurate, but was able to turn them counterclockwise about 1/2 turn. It seems to run pretty good now and idles. Its slightly rough, but works OK.

Steve, Vero Beach, FL, March 2011

You know, I was going through the same thing with the SS30. The trimmer head would barely spin with the throttle wide open. I replaced the gas lines and filter. Removed the plastic anti-adjustment caps on the mixture needles. Disassembled the carb and cleaned it, all to the same effect. What got it running propperly was tinkering with the exhaust. If you take off the back side of your motor housing, (2 screws on the upper part of the motor shroud and 4 on crankcase) it will allow access to the muffler. There is a restrictor on the muffler. It reduces the exhaust port from 1cm X 1.5 cm to 1 cm X 3 mm. This narrow opening gets choked up with carbon and does not allow the engine to breath. There are a couple screws holding on a small deflector that direct the exhaust to the back, remove that and underneath is the restrictor. Remove it and put the deflector back on. It was like running a new machine. It sounds like a chainsaw now. Plenty of power. The blower attachment and trimmer have more power than I ever imagined the piece of crap to ever put out.

Jake, October 2010

Well people... here's the fix to getting your Ryobi SS30, running correctly or at lease usable again. All the cleaning and horsey farting around will not help if the carb adjustment is not correct. The one screw that you can access just adjusts the speed of the engine to keep the clutch from engaging to soon. Set this last. The SS30, RY30240 of mine was running lean. You would give it throttle and it just bogged down. Not getting enough fuel. The following worked for me. The carb adjustment screws are surrounded with pot-metal and not slotted to adjust. The factory will not sell you the tool. So you need to remove the air-cleaner housing. Open it up and remove the filter (a little sponge). Now you can access the two nuts to remove the carb. You need to remove the carb (Easy! 2 nuts, throttle wire and fuel tubes. Pay attention to which ones go where and pull) this will make it easier to remove some of the metal with dremmel tool, file or what ever it takes. Or you could just grind the slots in the screws without messing with removing the metal around them. Just be careful not to screw-up the 2 screws and also be careful with sparks. You are working around gasoline. After you get the metal removed ,or just grind the slots, enough around the screws take your dremmel tool with a fine disk and grind a slot in top of each screw. Take your time and be careful. Now you have slots for a small screw driver to make your adjustments. Re-assemble in reverse. Get the machine running and make your first adjustment to the screw on the right and turn counter clock wise. This will richen the fuel ratio of the fuel mixture. Make small corrections. Go back and forth until the engine will stay idling nicely and the engine will not die when you give it throttle. You will find the engines sweet spot. Now work with the engine with full throttle with the screw on the left. This will take a little more twinking. To much, counter clockwise (richer) or clockwise (leaner) and you loose power and could burn up the engine. What do you have to loose. Work at this going back and forth from ideal to full power. It may not run the best, just make sure it ideals, transitions well to full power and has good power at full throttle. This is at best a cob-job fix and voids our warranty, if there is one left. But it was better for me and cheaper than buying a whole new unit. Good luck, JDH

JDH, July 2010

Thanks for the tips. I've owned mine 3 years, and I agree, this thing is a piece of cr*p. I've dissasembled the carb, cleaned it, put it back to together and it runs the same. It idles poorly, then when trying to throttle to use it, it cuts out. I got less than one useful season out of this piece of junk. I'm using an old cheap Weed Eater from my grandfather and it is a whole lot more reliable.

Marc, June 2010

I agree with everyone on the limiter adjustment screws,I just moved them a little at a time counter clockwise until it ran great, and it still does

steve, March 2010

If it really sucks so much then that would probably explain why i found one on the side of a dirt road. Took the engine out (missing a few parts) and was going to use it to power my bike, but after hearing how much it sucks, i'll take my chances and try to find something else. Thanks everyone for sharing this vital piece of info before i really screwed up and mounted it to my bike.

Eddy, October 2009

Remove the limiter caps and/or slot the splined adjustment screws and adjust the low and high screws correctly and it will run fine. Remember, poor running is EPA's fault.

rohmell brills, July 2009

I just purchased the carb adjustment tool from Ebay. It cost $15.99 plus 2.50 shipping. What a deal.
By the way, I sent a message to Ryobi Corporate. I asked how I purchase the carb adjustment tool. They said that they will not sell the tool to a DIY'er and that the EPA requires that a certified Ryobi repair shop adjust the carb.

Neal, June 2009

Had th e Ryobi ss30 for 2 years now STRAIGHT out of the box it did not run right. I have to hold the choke 1/2 cloed to get the rpms up enogh to turn the head. ALSO the feed is junk.. OF coarse I have long since lost the receipt.. I am going to throw it in the garbage this week and go get my walmart special as that one lasted me 10 years ...

Eric, June 2009

sawed off the edges off the limiters on the adjustment srcews..and cut a slot using a dremel/w cutoff blade..do it carefully.I didn't even have to take the carb off.If its bogging down, turn the screws counter clockwise.runs great now

steve, May 2009

My ss30 never worked well from day one.

The problem with the ss30 is that you need a special wrench to adjust the Hi & Low mixture screws (which I don't have).

The fix to this is to get a very thin-long pair of needle nose pliers and carefully unscrew both mixture screws.
Then soft jaw them into a vise and cut a screw slot into the top of them with a hack saw. Reinstall and adjust.

This works like a charm and my whip (and pole saw) have never ran better! . . . good luck.

Bob Muschitz, January 2009

My ss30 never worked well from day one.

The problem with the ss30 is that you need a special wrench to adjust the Hi & Low mixture screws (which I don't have).

The fix to this is to get a very thin-long pair of needle nose pliers and carefully unscrew both mixture screws.
Then soft jaw them into a vise and cut a screw slot into the top of them with a hack saw. Reinstall and adjust.

This works like a charm and my whip (and pole saw) have never ran better! . . . good luck.

Bob Muschitz, January 2009

hey check it out i just saw another forum that helped me with the not running problem. take off the whole intake from the carb. (very easy) take off the 4 screws that hold on the bulb. (be very careful not to let it fall apart and not to damage the gasket) there is a screen there but you won't see it cause it will be clogged with dirt. use carb cleaner and spray the sh!t out of it. let sit for a few min. reassemble. it will take a few pulls but when it starts it will be awesome!!!!!

Teddy B, September 2008

If you have a Ryobi SS30 and want to get rid if it, let me know. I used one on my kids scooter and it works great. Just need parts on occasion. Thanks

dsdrewyor@comcast.net

Dave

dave, August 2008

Idle? Bah! Mine fell over in the garage before its 1st use and broke the choke lever... Idling is not an option! However - mine starts within the first 3 pulls every time and this is its 3rd season. I do use fuel stabilizer every winter and have had great luck with it starting and running. Now if the damn string would feed easily - I'd be happy.

Jason!, July 2008

Had wonderful (not) Ryobi SS30 for 3 years and it is now giving me problems. Apparantly it doesn't like being turned on it's side to do curb edging. Conks out everytime. Now a spring broke in the handle and Ryobi's site (surprise) is down right now. Anyone know where I can find a downloadable user guide outside of Ryobi's web site?

Thanks

Lou, June 2008

Mine has less then 2 hours on it and the extend it pole at the end of shift cracked and the head flew right off. Home depot dummies said I had to call ryobi for new parts. I should have bought something else, anyone want it?

Johnny G, June 2008

I've had mine for 6 months and no matter how much I increase the idle speed, it dies as soon as I turn it to half choke. This model is not even worth the box it comes in. Don't waste your time.

Mark, May 2008

did you mix 2cycle oil with the gas?
Is your gas new or old?
Sounds as though you need a carb. adjustment.
and the limiter caps wont let the normal homeowner do that. I own this model and have had no trouble.
Find a reputable person to assist in this Matter.

John, April 2008

can anyone...please.....HELP ME NOT RUN OVER MY RYOBI SS30 WITH MY BIG AMERICAN SU friggin V!!!

i followed the directions to a tee. bulb 7x's, full choke, pull - almost start, half choke - blah blah - NOTHING!!

it may start, then just stops. then i start over again. it runs 5 secs - than stops. i want to get work done darnit. its unseasonally warm, and i would like to get sh*t done. anyone know where i could get some help - drepp77(at)gmail.com - thanks!!!

mi ro, January 2008

I've owned mine for 3 years. Never has idled. Now it won't stay running at all. Piece of cr*p, waste of money. I hope I can't get it fixed so I can get me something else.

Joe, September 2007

You need to adjust the idle screw try turning it clockwise to increase the idle speed.

Brandon, July 2007

I own this same model.. Yes it is supposed to idle all by itself. By the way , if you just bought it then take it back! Ryobi ss30 is a piece of cr*p! It has already broke 3 times in my first year of ownership!!!!

Mike, May 2007