[Lardman]

Pulled my ryobi strimmer <spit> out of the shed today expecting to fight with it for a couple of hours to get it started, normally the case especially as the petrol is now 3 years old. To my surprise it started after just the second round of abusive language   

As I checked things over I noticed a lot of fuel coming from where the pipes enter the fuel tank, after cleaning it up there doesn't seem to be any sealant or a seal on them at all, just pipes pushed into holes  That can't be right - can it ? Im keen not to have petrol dripping out when Im using it so what's suitable to fix it ?

[fatcat1955]

I would have thought that the pipe would have been pushed onto a spigot. Also check that the mice have not been chewing on the pipe.

[3 allotments]

Pulled my ryobi strimmer <spit> out of the shed today expecting to fight with it for a couple of hours to get it started, normally the case especially as the petrol is now 3 years old. To my surprise it started after just the second round of abusive language   

As I checked things over I noticed a lot of fuel coming from where the pipes enter the fuel tank, after cleaning it up there doesn't seem to be any sealant or a seal on them at all, just pipes pushed into holes  That can't be right - can it ? Im keen not to have petrol dripping out when Im using it so what's suitable to fix it ?

Hi lardman some strimmers are like that ,pipes going straight through tank but they are sealed like a very tight fit i have one of those yellow ryobi small strimmers with pipes pushed through it also leaked ,pipes perish over time try putting new ones in or clean around them well and put silicone sealant round them, that works well ive also had to do the same with my mantis which has a rubber gromit hope this helps.Darren

[Lardman]

some strimmers are like that ,pipes going straight through tank but they are sealed like a very tight fit i have one of those yellow ryobi small strimmers with pipes pushed through it also leaked

Glad it's not me going mad ! It seems a really silly design just to friction fit them    Why both with a cork washer on the fuel tank when it can just pour out of the other holes  at will

pipes perish over time try putting new ones in or clean around them well and put silicone sealant round them

The pipes look in good condition, I couldn't see any nicks or rodent damage  Silicone will be liberally applied tomorrow. I add leaky pipes to the list of reason I think it's a rubbish tool. 

[grendel]

It could be that the pipes are disintegrating internally and collapsing in on themselves, I have had this and new pipes will cure it as they will be a tight fit through the holes.
Grendel

[Swed]

Pulled my ryobi strimmer <spit> out of the shed today expecting to fight with it for a couple of hours to get it started, normally the case especially as the petrol is now 3 years old. To my surprise it started after just the second round of abusive language   

As I checked things over I noticed a lot of fuel coming from where the pipes enter the fuel tank, after cleaning it up there doesn't seem to be any sealant or a seal on them at all, just pipes pushed into holes  That can't be right - can it ? Im keen not to have petrol dripping out when Im using it so what's suitable to fix it ?

Correct.
The fuleline is of Silicon(?) expanding slightly and thus sealing.
You will have to change the fuleline every odd year; as well as the vaccuum membrane in the carb.