Carburetor clean versus carburetor rebuild

[stresspoint]

A visit to ---Mackinac Island----Might explain what clean transportation is.

no doubt it will be like --Rottnest Island -- off the coast of Western Australia in time to come."""" over run by tourists and ferry companies""".

 

[stresspoint]

Hey guys I know this topic can go in any engine for them however I’d like to know when it is that you simply clean a Carburetor and when you do a full on rebuild?

I’ve been through a few carburetor rebuilds, that once I tore into them, appeared to need nothing. Rebuild kits are expensive and I’m wondering at what junction do you go forward with a full rebuild?

Every time?

Or only if you see varnish/crud buildup?

Also what is your go to non-nasty carb cleaner?
I have been using a Pine-Sol soak but I’m not sure if it’s aggressive enough to get into all the fine passages

back on track .
i like to use my ultrasonic cleaner and probes rather than solvents.

 

[LaqueRatt]

I've cleaned a lot of carbs in my day, but if I ever "rebuilt" one I can't remember when. I make my own gaskets when needed.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, that thread is ugly. The Mercury floats of the 70's and likely earlier were dissolved by the alcohol in today's gasoline. They must be replaced. Mercury carb parts were made to be replaced, on a regular basis. If you want to pull down the carbs on a large OB and clean them and install the original parts, it could work. I personally think it is a dumb idea. Spend the $100 and make the carbs work as best as they were designed.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

back on track .
i like to use my ultrasonic cleaner and probes rather than solvents.

Would you mind elaborating on how ultrasonic units work? I am now looking at one on Amazon for about $100 Canadian. Just wondering what I should know about ultrasonic cleaning machines and solvents.

Will these allow me to clean a carb without pulling the small white metal plugs etc? These require the rebuild kits

 

[airshot]

Just look thru this and other forums on trouble shooting engines that dont run right. The majority are under " I just cleaned the carb and it doesn't run right"....How many do you see that say I just rebuilt the carb with a rebuild kit and it doesn't run right"....I cant remember any from the second group, but most all are from the first group !! I have done my own motor work for over 60 years and if the carb is the problem, always used a factory kit and have never had to do it over!!! That makes them worthwhile to me !!

 

[tphoyt]

Would you mind elaborating on how ultrasonic units work? I am now looking at one on Amazon for about $100 Canadian. Just wondering what I should know about ultrasonic cleaning machines and solvents.

Will these allow me to clean a carb without pulling the small white metal plugs etc? These require the rebuild kits

The solvents of your choice and heat from water will break down crud into fine pieces and ultra sonic vibrations break things from their grasp.
I have never tried to clean a carb without removing the plug and if I had to guess I would think the machine alone wouldn’t clean these fine passages well enough to not remove the plug. As mentioned it will break stuff down but it will still need to be removed. It just makes it easier and no harsh solvents that may damage sensitive parts are needed.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

The solvents of your choice and heat from water will break down crud into fine pieces and ultra sonic vibrations break things from their grasp.
I have never tried to clean a carb without removing the plug and if I had to guess I would think the machine alone wouldn’t clean these fine passages well enough to not remove the plug. As mentioned it will break stuff down but it will still need to be removed. It just makes it easier and no harsh solvents that may damage sensitive parts are needed.

Thanks, makes sense that the plugs have to come out.

 

[stresspoint]

i have used my ultrasonic cleaner on some pretty messed up motorcycle carbs with excellent results.
the ingredients i put in my personal mix that goes into the water breaks down , varnish ,crud , rust , oxidization , corrosion, and almost any element that is found in a clogged up carb, it does not effect the zinc plating on most carbs .
as posted , good probing with wire and the majority of carbs i clean are in perfect working order when reassembled.

with that said , people use cheap china kits , they break down and clog the carb , in turn making them impossible to clean no matter how good you are at carb cleaning.

 

[Scott Danforth]

To properly clean a carburetor means to fully pull the carburetor apart remove all gaskets, soak in a carb cleaner, make sure the passages are clean. Then with a new carburetor kit, re-assemble and properly set

To rebuild a carburetor means to fully pull the carburetor apart remove all gaskets, soak in a carb cleaner, make sure the passages are clean. Then with a new carburetor kit, re-assemble and properly set

 

[airshot]

Yes, along with new gaskets and needle valve and seats the kits also have instructions for initial settings and setups for your carb.

 

[stresspoint]

not all carbs need a rebuild kit , a good clean and vigilant re assembly is more than enough to get them to a satisfactory operating condition.

 

[LaqueRatt]

Well I look at it this way. It takes what an hour or two to remove a carb, hose it out and reinstall it? For such little bit of labor and $0 cost there is nothing to lose in giving it a try. If it doesn't work, get a kit. I prescribe to the KISS school of thought. Why put a kit in it if you simply have an obstructed jet?

 

[airshot]

If you are a gambler, then go for it !!! My time is valuable to me anyway, I hate doing things over, but for some, doing things over and over is not a problem...

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Thanks everybody. I think this time anyway, I will go to rebuild kit route. Just to get the white metal plugs at least.

I’m not working due to my health condition at the moment. So I do have lots of time however that being said I don’t have much cash or energy.

I think in this particular case, rebuild kits are the better option, even if there’s a cost. Do it once, hopefully get it licked first shot.

I really appreciate everybody’s opinions, enjoy your day!

 

[909]

I always have a spare rebuild kit on hand . They're not that expensive .

That being said, most of the carbs that are cleaned will work . You don't always "need" to rebuild it . Rarely have I cleaned a carb and have it not work properly.

Your ultrasonic should be able to cover the carb when it's 2/3 full of solution. I use the fancy ultrasonic solution, just a few capfuls but dish soap will work just as well. It's a good alternative if you get tired of handling solvents .

 

[LaqueRatt]

If you are a gambler, then go for it !!! My time is valuable to me anyway, I hate doing things over, but for some, doing things over and over is not a problem...

It is enjoyable pursuit though, no? No doing it over and over. Just one try and then get a kit. No big deal. No real sense in putting un-needed parts in her, right? I think some here look at things from a tech's viewpoint where time is money. My time is my own and I have an abundance of time, but not an abundance of money!