Best way to clean a carb?

[Boat_Boy!]

Will a spray in type cleaner do a sufficient job of removing crap, or should I totally remove the carbs from my Yamaha C40 and soak them in some solvent? Any product or process recommendations would be great. If I take the carbs off (there are two) are there any surprises I should be aware of, like setting up carb sync again, linkage difficulties etc.?<br /><br />This board has been really heplpful to me as I begin a new hobby! Thanks to all who have responded to my questions.<br /><br />------------------<br />Boat_Boy!

 

[sockeyerun]

Re: Best way to clean a carb?

To do it right you will have to remove and clean them. Took mine in to the shop.I was also concerned about getting it all back together. It wasn't cheap($200) but it was right.Remember when you let it sit for a long period(month)or put it up for the winter, to use fuel stabilizer and drain your fuel system and you won't have to do this again.It doesn't hurt to run fuel stabilizer in your gas all the time.I do in smaller amount,but increase it if it's going to sit for a week or so. Gas goes bad real fast! Goodluck

 

[12Footer]

Re: Best way to clean a carb?

Sockeyerun has some good advice. I would like to add a caution if you plan to remove and clean the carbs properly (and it's really the best only way to clean them right)...You mentioned soaking the carbs. This is fine,but this type of cleaner is very thurough ,TOO thurough. Emulsion type cleaners will disolve rubber,plastic,hard carbon deposits and gasket materials.<br />So the carb must be totally disnmantled to remove all plastic and rubber parts,such as vale seats,riser floats ect.<br />If you would rather try to clean the carb without completely tearing it down, your best bet would be to stick with the spray stuff. These can be quite effective,if you partially dissmantle the carb (remove float and float valve), and use the spray to clean the ports and parts. Pay particular attention to the pickup tube and the rest of porting,by spraying the cleaner thru the ports and jets. You should wear eye protection when doing this,because the spray you spray in, comes out in unexpected places.<br />Order the rebuild kit, and use the expensive spray cleaners (they work twice as well in some cases).<br />I've had good results with the Valvoline carb cleaner. It has a "wand" that should be patented,if it hasn't been allready.

 

[kansasmike]

Re: Best way to clean a carb?

I just rebuilt the carbs (4) on my 130 Johnson. I couldn't believe how easy it was. I'm no mechanic, (ask wife <g> ). I'd had very limited carb experience and it took me about 2 1/2 hours to pull, tear down, clean, and reassemble. Definitely buy the kits. I didn't think I needed then until I saw the needles and seats covered in varnish. I simply used GUMOUT and after the carbs were completely apart sprayed it into every orifice until it came out somewhere. My problem is solved. Runs good from low idle to WOT. If you need help ask one of the gurus here. Boils down to "if I can do it anybody can."<br /><br />Good Luck,<br />Mike<br />Good Luck