What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

[funpilot]

After my engine rebuild on my 90 hp 1990 Johnson, I put the old carbs back on, knowing that I would probably rebuild them soon. They do look clean as a whistle, but WOT performance is a bit low. I had already identified the engine failure mode to poor cooling due to failed exhaust cover gaskets, so I was less concerned about mixture and fuel issues. The motor starts, idles and acclerates fine, but I've not touched the carbs in about six years.

So, now in the interest of doing a thorough job, I'm all set to attack the carbs, and re-do the link and synch. My carbs already have the metal float bowl kits, and most of my use is under 1000 ft msl.

Which cleaning solvent do you like best? Do you remove the core plugs and clean those passages? What is the best method for reseating the new plugs if you do remove them? What do you watch for in inspecting the carb to head off future problems? What float height do you use? What other things do you do?

I'm asking for your experience here, and any tips you would like to share. The clymer manual is OK, but I would appreciate some real world thoughts!

thanks!
fp

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

1st get a real manual.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

Get a gallon can of carb cleaner at your nearest auto parts store. It will have a strainer basket in it to put the parts in. Disassemble the carbs and Remove the core plugs. It's part of the job. You can reseat the new plugs with a punch and hammer(Gently). Soak carbs overnight and then spray all the passages out with aerosol carb cleaner. Then blow out all the passages with compressed air. Turn the carbs upside down with the float attached. The float should be parallel with the bowl mounting surface. Bend the little tang gently if it needs setting. Make sure to use all new gaskets and any other parts in the kit(O-rings, Washers. Etc)....Follow the manual for lync and sync...

 

[Scaaty]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

Do new carb/man gaskets of course, and check for flatness there too!

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

New core plugs come with the carb kit. I usually put a small amount of gasket sealer around the edge and gently seat with a hammer and socket that's a good fit.

 

[pecheux]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

I buy a spray can of carb cleaner (for cars) and some 2 cycle carb cleaner that needs to be mixed with gas.

Use the spay for the dirt that can be seen at the carb opening, then use the 2 cycle cleaner mix with the gas/oil as recommended (maximum) for the first 2 tankfulls. I do this every spring at the begining of boat season and never needed to take a carb apart in more than 40 years. Had most brand of outboards ... from 4hp to 115hp

I dont expect mecanics to be on my side on this method ... LOL but it works for me.

Cheers

 

[Old No 7]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

That 2 cycle cleaner sounds interesting, I've never seen any. What brand do you use, and where do you get it? Is it something like Seafoam?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

I use SeaFoam in every tank of fuel whether its my car, boat, mowers, tractors, or truck. It and Smart Tabs are the two best things you can do for your boat.

 

[mrcombel1963]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

Two cycle cleaner, I got some. and this stuff is made by
Midwest Engine 100041 Cleanr Carb SM ENGINE 8.OZ
works great, but I also have a gallon bucket of the parts cleaner wash to soak various parts in.

Stacks

 

[funpilot]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

Thanks for the insights. I'll post back what I find and how it changes the operation (if at all).

Incidently, the clymer manual is sketchy, but it got me all the way through the rebuild pretty well, along with some good advice from folks here at iboats, and the people who machined my block.

Anyway, I'm going for the soak, spray and compressed air method, and I'm going to remove the core plugs, not something I've done on carbs in the past. I also agree that Seafoam both regular and deep creep is marvelous stuff!

take care,
fp

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

I use a sharp punch to remove the plugs .

Just drive it through the plug carefully, not too deep and pop them out.

The end of a socket extension , works great to install new ones.

KYHunter

 

[funpilot]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

The carbs are all cleaned, and the suggestions here were really helpful (and that gallon of carb cleaning fluid was really expensive! but I'll use it frequently I'm sure)

The carbs did look pretty good before I started, I'm glad I've verified the float heights, and removed the plugs and checked all the orifices.

The boat runs exactly as it did before I rebuilt them, 5200 rpm at 40 mph (gps) on my 14x17 regular old prop.

So, I'll still be looking for a few more RPMs.

thanks,
fp

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

Drop down to a 15" prop. That should get your RPMs up to around 5500.

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

If its been suggested and /or you've allready tried raiseing your motor.

Then a different prop may be in order.

I raised mine after being instructed to try it.

And its like a whole new boat. Gained rpm's and the motor runs much more efficiently .

This was proven by my gas useage . Much better mileage now.

Heck, I may be getting 11/2 mpg now instead of 1mpg !!!!!! . LOL

KYHunter d

 

[funpilot]

Re: What's your favorite way to clean your carbs?

Hey! A 50% improvement is still a huge improvement. Look at it this way, you can go half again as far as you could before!