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My RYI2300BT wouldn't start unless I used starting fluid. I had clean oil topped off, clean gas, a new spark plug, and a clean air filter. I was taking it apart to remove the carb and break it down when I noticed that the choke butterfly valve wasn't closing all the way when it was in the Start/Choke position. I tightened the cable to the butterfly valve so it closed completely, and the problem was solved. So if you have this model and you find it difficult to start but it runs normally, check to see if the choke is closing all the way. You can check it without disassembling anything by putting the control knob in the Start/Choke position then seeing if the choke valve is closed all the way or if it will move further. Take up the slack from the cable so the valve closes completely, and try starting it. If you want to inspect it visually - remove the 2 nuts that secure the carb to the engine so you can pull off the thick rubber air intake tube running from the carb down to the air cleaner housing, then you can see if the choke valve closes correctly. Easy fix to a very frustrating problem.

I decided to take the generator apart and inspect the pull cord mechanism. It turns out there is a flat plastic 'plate' that holds the two teeth that extend to rotate the crankshaft when the cord is pulled, the plastic 'plate' cracked and the piece that fell off rubbed against the rotating piece on the crank and melted so the mechanism was unable to rotate at all. Cheap design. I'm surprised Ryobi cheaped on such a critical part.

I have 2 Ryobi 1800 2300 gas generators, they both have low hours, and both failed the same way: the pull cord doesn't engage the engine to spin it. I think it's a design flaw since both of my generators developed the same problem in the same time period. Is there an easy way to lube these clutch mechanisms so they start engaging again, or do I have to replace them, and risk having the same thing happen?