How to Clean a Dirty Carburetor
The carburetor has
several functions:
1) it combines gasoline and air
creating a highly combustible mixture
2) it regulates the ratio of air
and fuel
3) it controls the engine's
speed
Cleaning a
carburetor is a relatively easy task that people can do with a few basic tools.
Tools and Supplies
The right
tools and supplies ensure that the process goes quickly and smoothly. Many
people already have most of the necessary tools, but gather everything in
advance so it is ready to go. The size of each tool will depend on the specific
carburetor.
•
Screwdrivers [Several sizes, flat & phillips]
• Needle-nose Pliers
• Socket Wrench [Several sizes, SAE or Metric]
• Carb Cleaner
• Shop Towels
• Safety Goggles
• Gloves
• Wire Brush
Those who
are unsure of the exact tool sizes they need should grab a few of each tool so
that the right size is handy. Just take a quick look at the engine and carburetor to
get an idea of the sizes necessary.
Remove the Carburetor from the Engine
Begin by
turning off the fuel valve and remove the hoses that connect to the carburetor.
Loosen the clamps and screws that keep the carb in place and then carefully
wiggle it to get it out. Next, remove the throttle slide, the float, and the
float pin in this order. For all parts, except the float pin, screwdrivers and
wrenches are necessary; but for the float pin, the needle nose pliers work
best. Lastly, remove the plates and the jets below them. This step usually
requires a flathead screwdriver.
Disassemble the Parts for Easy Cleaning
To easily
clean a carburetor, it is important to disassemble the parts so they are easy
to work with. A flathead screwdriver works to remove the idle screw and the air
screw on the sides of the carb. The air screw is the smaller of the two and it
is usually best to remove it after removing the idle screw. Not all carburetors
have a removable choke, but if it does, remove it with a wrench. Before
cleaning anything, it is critical to remove the O-rings and gaskets.
Clean the Carburetor Components
Start the
cleaning process by thoroughly soaking the carburetor and all associated parts
in a cleaner specially designed for carburetors. For most carburetors, a gallon
of cleaner in a plastic container is adequate for this process. Soaking it for
a few hours is usually enough to loosen the dirt and grime so it is easier to
get off.
Ensure a Safe Cleaning Process
Before going
into the detailing part of the cleaning process, it is important to ensure the
person doing the cleaning is safe. Some of the chemicals are quite harsh, so
protecting the skin and eyes is very important. Wear safety goggles just
in case any of the cleaners splash up during the process. Wear a pair of
chemical-resistant gloves to protect the hands and arms.
Cleaning the Individual Pieces
Remove the
carburetor from the cleaner and use a wire brush to scrub the individual
components. If any dirt and grime is stuck on, use a choke cleaner to loosen
it. After everything is completely clean, make sure that all debris is gone and
then fully dry each of the parts. Put on new gaskets and O-rings, reassemble
the carburetor, and put it back on the engine.