7-15-08
Hi,
I just removed the clutch housing and clutch mechanism from my 2nd Ryobi 31cc weed wacker engine and wanted to pass on this tip in case it will help someone.
If you are having trouble removing the clutch housing, there's a size 20 Torx bolt in the end of the crank shaft holding the housing on. You can't really see it because it's deep inside the square shaft that protrudes from the clutch housing.
I put some 'Break Free' oil in that opening and left it overnight. The next morning, I took out the spark plug and crammed some cotton rope into the spark plug hole (using a pencil's eraser end) to fill up the combustion chamber. Leave some rope hanging out.
This will keep the piston from moving and will allow you to turn the bolt to remove the clutch housing. This way, you won't break any fins on the flywheel by inserting a screwdriver in them.
With that done, turn the Torx bolt in the square shaft on the clutch housing CCW, as normal; it's NOT a left-hand thread. With the Break Free oil working overnight, it just popped right off and I was easily able to remove the clutch housing.
This exposes the clutch mechanism. With the rope still in the combustion chamber, use pipe pliers on the largest opening and grab the clutch mechanism on the metal ears - NOT the springs - and turn the clutch mechanism CCW, as normal to loosen things. Again, it just spun right off without any problems or much effort.
It was so easy to remove the housing and clutch, I thought I had broken them!
When you're all done doing whatever it is you're doing, simply pull the rope out. Any little cotton pieces will burn up.
Also, FWIW, I understand you must clean the spark arrestor (if you've got one) every 25 hours. This could prevent your engine from running due to excessive back pressure.
Finally, FWIW, I have found that the flywheel keys shear pretty easily on these small, 2 stroke engines. If your engine isn't starting and you can't figure out why, check that the flywheel key is intact and in the right place.
I hope this helps someone.
Steve G
Grants Pass, Oregon
Hi,
I just removed the clutch housing and clutch mechanism from my 2nd Ryobi 31cc weed wacker engine and wanted to pass on this tip in case it will help someone.
If you are having trouble removing the clutch housing, there's a size 20 Torx bolt in the end of the crank shaft holding the housing on. You can't really see it because it's deep inside the square shaft that protrudes from the clutch housing.
I put some 'Break Free' oil in that opening and left it overnight. The next morning, I took out the spark plug and crammed some cotton rope into the spark plug hole (using a pencil's eraser end) to fill up the combustion chamber. Leave some rope hanging out.
This will keep the piston from moving and will allow you to turn the bolt to remove the clutch housing. This way, you won't break any fins on the flywheel by inserting a screwdriver in them.
With that done, turn the Torx bolt in the square shaft on the clutch housing CCW, as normal; it's NOT a left-hand thread. With the Break Free oil working overnight, it just popped right off and I was easily able to remove the clutch housing.
This exposes the clutch mechanism. With the rope still in the combustion chamber, use pipe pliers on the largest opening and grab the clutch mechanism on the metal ears - NOT the springs - and turn the clutch mechanism CCW, as normal to loosen things. Again, it just spun right off without any problems or much effort.
It was so easy to remove the housing and clutch, I thought I had broken them!
When you're all done doing whatever it is you're doing, simply pull the rope out. Any little cotton pieces will burn up.
Also, FWIW, I understand you must clean the spark arrestor (if you've got one) every 25 hours. This could prevent your engine from running due to excessive back pressure.
Finally, FWIW, I have found that the flywheel keys shear pretty easily on these small, 2 stroke engines. If your engine isn't starting and you can't figure out why, check that the flywheel key is intact and in the right place.
I hope this helps someone.
Steve G
Grants Pass, Oregon