carb cleaning. 55 Johnson.

[steviecops]

HiI'm getting my boat ready for the coming spring after it being laid up all winter.I am going to take the carbs off my 1980 Johnson 55 to give them a good clean out. I fitted a new carb kit last year, will I need to use another carb kit this time or will just a clean out be O.K?Also, I can't seem to get hold of a good size can of carb cleaner over here. All I can get is spray cans. I'd like to give the carbs a good soak this year and I've seen a paint and varnish stripper in large cans in a DIY store. Could I use that to soak my carbs? I've used the wifes nail varnish remover on carbs before when I haven't had a can of carb cleaner handy, and it seems to work very well. It's just acetone in a fancy bottle.Thanks in advance.Steve

[87Aggie]

If you could find some Berrymans Chemtool Chemdip parts cleaner. It's a gallon can with a mesh type parts bucket that drops in and can easily be lifted out with the attached handle. It works great for soaking carbs.

[nc4z]

Im no expert but I say if it works ok,,DONT FIX IT !

[steviecops]

I didn't drain the carbs when I fogged the engine. I intended to take the carbs off before the spring to make sure that they are spotless anyway, so I didn't bother at the time.I'll look out for the Chemtool stuff.ThanksSteve

[R.Johnson]

My understanding is that after manufacture, the carbs' are dipped in a sealer to close off any porosity in the aluminum casting. They caustion against using anything that would disolve this sealer, as some of the dip type cleaners would.

[steviecops]

Yes, I've read that in the manuals, but I've also read others on here saying that it won't hurt the carbs. Better safe than sorry I suppose.I weant to give them a really good clean. What about soaking them in petrol overnight, and then a spray can of carb cleaner through the passages? Will the petrol dissolve any varnish in them?

[OBJ]

Hey Steve....gotta ask what nc4z asked....if it's running good, why mess with it. How long it been laid up? If only a couple months or so, I wouldn't worry about it. Drain the gas from the carbs and do fresh.

[R.Johnson]

The sealer is just a safe quard, dipping will not affect all carbs. But then! If it is your unlucky day.

[steviecops]

Hi OBJ.Yes, the engine was running very well last time out, which was in late September. I ran it when I fogged it late in October, and it ran fine then too.I'm just worried that having sat for a few months with fuel in the carbs that a small passage somewhere might be partially blocked, and I'm scared of it running a bit lean without me knowing. I figured that cleaning the carbs properly is the only way to be sure that all the passages are clear before another seasons use.