Carburator cleaning

[Ted in NE-OH]

What steps do you go through to clean a carb. What solvent do you use. I have two carbs that need cleaning.
 

[old]

First off buy a good brand of kit say like what O'Reilly's auto sells Walker brand by the way. Then disassemble and sock in a good carb cleaner if you can find one. I use Berryman's chem dip but what I have is older so you may not be able to find the same stuff. I sock it for 24 hours or so then use spray carb cleaner to clean that stuff off and blow all passage ways out with air and I also use a torch tip cleaner tool to make sure all the passage ways are clear
 

[Mike (WA)]

There's a spray product call carb cleaner that works great. There is also a "carburetor cleaner" dip, that's pretty nasty stuff- it eventually ate through its own container, resulting in a big mess in my shop.

Some guy told me how to start a small engine where the gas has gone bad. Drain the gas out of the tank, and while you have the fuel line disconnected, spray the carb cleaner in the fuel line to the carburetor. Also spray it in the air horn of the carb. Also spray enough in the empty gas tank to cover the bottom, so it will be picked up by the fuel line to the carb. He guaranteed that the engine would start on the first pull. Good luck with that, I thought.

I've done that procedure on 3 different small engines- one had so many cobwebs over it I thought I would have to spray for spiders, just for my own protection- and they all started on the first pull! After it starts, shut it down, and put fresh gas in the tank, and you're off to the races.
 

[the tractor vet]

I soak them in Carb Cleaner and let them cook . Then once they are med. rare then it is into boiling hot strong soapy water for a quick wash to get the carb cleaner off then a hot rinse then a cold rinse . Then a throe blowing out . Then i set down with my tiny little drill bits and make sure each and every hole is open . Don't want to do them bring them down i'll do them just bring your kits with ya.
 

[Bryan inIowa]

There are several parts store brand cleaners . Depending on how bad the carb is and what metal it is ,I use dip cleaner Berryman. Or put them in the hot tank , ultrasonic cleaner , toilet bowel cleaner if they are rusted or limed up . Sometimes glass bead blaster . Most common is overnigth dip in berryman , rinse with HOT water , dry ,,then spray out passages with can of spray carb cleaner , tag wires through passages ,blow out again .
 

[Duner Wi]

Last one I did I lined the slow cooker with plastic. Water , dawn dish washing soap with a little vinegar and 2 days later it looked really good. I would have bet money it wouldn't work.
 

[David G]

I do what Bryan does, but have a carb at his place right now that cleaner did not fully clean. He will sort it out.
 

[David G]

I want to clarify I cleaned it the first time, not Bryan.
 

[Ted in NE-OH]

Thanks guys that helps.
 

[rustred]

gotta soak them in carb cleaner, the spray junk is garbage.
 

[Hal/Eastern WA]

My gallon of carb dip ate through the can also, and it leaked most of the contents in my storage building. That must be close to ten years ago, and that building STILL smells like carb dip. Not a nice odor at all. Funny thing, there has been no mouse problem in that building since then.

I would suggest storing and using the carb dip in a very well ventilated place, and if possible to store the can in a metal bucket. I think the dip would eat through lots of plastic containers.

Carb dip is very useful for cleaning carbs and some other small parts. I am sure I will end up getting another container of it, but I sure hope I use it up fast enough that it doesn"t get a chance to eat through the metal can. You are right, it was a REAL MESS!
 

[Will Herring]

Other people seem to be down on it, but I have had good luck with Gumout Carb & Choke Cleaner. Only had to take apart my WD carb once, but it cleaned out all the jets really well. Haven't had any issues with it in several years since.