Carb cleaning...

[notinbig]

Is there any chemical-product or way to clean the jets and inner workings of carb without removing it?<br />Please no "it will fix itself responses".<br /><br />Carb chokes so bad I won't be able to get it to the landing to pull out of the water. So if I remove it it is getting replaced.<br />Thanks.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Carb cleaning...

What size and year motor? When you say chokes itself out are you saying the choke is always closed. Need a little more info

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Carb cleaning...

If you have gunk in the fuel passages, there isn't going to be an efficient way to clean them out without taking the carb off and using an sir compressor. If you have built up varnish in those passages, there isn't any flow going through them for anything you can add while underway to clean them out.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Carb cleaning...

stumbles on throttle won't stay running. DonS and Bondo say I need to clean the carb and I tried to get it out of the water and back to the house but couldn't keep it running.<br /><br />1988 4.3L V-6 OMC cobra, in a 18 foot Larson.<br /><br />Is that a rochester in there?

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Carb cleaning...

I just saw your last post. Unless you are posting from a wireless connection on the water, I am not sure why you need to get the boat running to get it to the house so you can work on the carb.<br /><br />You can just take the carb off the boat and bring it home, no need for the whole boat.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Carb cleaning...

Thanks for your two cents Mahoney. Unless you are trying to bump up your post count, don't reply unless you have some information!<br /><br />As I said, if it comes off it is getting replaced I want to avoid that, the boat was free.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Carb cleaning...

You should be able to take off the linkages and take the top off the carb. As soon as you look inside it you will be able to see how filthy it is. I had never done one before and I did mine without much problem. I dont think Mahoney meant anything smart by his post. I think he was just building up your confidence so you would try it yourself and save some money for important things like gas, dockage, insurance, drinks, blah, blah, blah.....Good Luck

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Carb cleaning...

I am not trying to be smart. I too recieved a boat for free, and removing the carb to blow out the passages is not a tough task. If you are insistant about spending $300 on a new carb, that is entirely up to you. I am confident if you can take it off to replace it, it is just as easy to take it off and clean it, and will save you $300.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Carb cleaning...

I get it Mahoney, I am trying to not have to remove it. I am a "Fuel injected junkie and looking at an 88 carb is not fun. I have done alot of work on this boat and I guess I am looking for an easy way out. Should I get a bunch of carb cleaner(aerosol cans) and just clean her up or is this just going to pass the "crud" to another part that I'll have to remove also? And Jeff your right I need every penny for the damn slip this thing is sitting at.

 

[Don S]

Re: Carb cleaning...

If the passages in the carb are plugged up, you can spray the outside of the carb forever and it won't clean the passages. To clean the passages, you have to dissassemble and clean (carb cleaner and compressed air.) reassemble with new gaskets.<br />You can look for easy ways out, but if your carb is plugged up tight with varnish and crud, then the only way to do it is to take it apart and clean it.<br />If you can't, find someone who can. It would be cheaper than a new marine carb.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Carb cleaning...

It sounds like you are on the same page now. I am trying to lend some of my experiences I had with my "free" boat and what I had learned and done getting her back into shape.<br /><br />It is perfectly reasonable to start with the "easy" solutions first, but your free boat will quickly turn into a money pit if you start throwing parts at it.<br /><br />Like those helping are suggestion is you can take the entire carb off the boat. 4 manifold bolts. That way you only have to disconnect the throttle and worry about the linkages and taking the airhorn and stuff off at home.<br /><br />I would get used to the fact that there are going to be some weekends you miss as you find out some things about your free boat that need attention, it's just a fact of boat ownership. Don't let it frustrate you, rather think of it as an opportunity to learn some new skills.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Carb cleaning...

Thanks DonS, I was trying to avoid taking it off, but I guess I can't get around it. Is there anything I should know before I take it out? mark any linkages? so on so forth? Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Carb cleaning...

Is there anything I should know before I take it out?

Yes, you should know how and why you are doing something. However, that isn't always possible, and the proper service manual with the information you are going to need to complete the job from start to finish is the answer.<br />The linkage may have to be adjusted after the carb is rebuilt. Putting things back "exactly" as they were may not be the best thing to do. They could have been wrong before because someone didn't know what they were doing when they put it together the first time. No reason to repeat the mistake.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Carb cleaning...

Thanks DonS, for all your great info. I do have two great manuals and I will follow what they say. I have a lot of engine skills, just no experience on carbs. I am a computer tuner and fuel injection guru. I think I can handle this and will be back asking more question if I need to. <br /><br />Again Thanks for all the info, and so quickly.<br /><br />Not to get off the suject but My friend and fishing buddy is in Iraq for the second tour, I ask that everyone take a minute to think about our soldiers.<br /><br />THANKS!!!!

 

[Crater]

Re: Carb cleaning...

My experience with Rochester carbs in cars anyway is that you defiantly need to know what your doing. I have rebuilt many years ago. Some worked some didn't. The quadro-jet was a very good carb (when it works) hugh CFM's for a stock carb, but when they went down and needed rebuilt it was always a coin toss if it was going to be successful. The 2 barrel version was always easier to rebuild and also has a better success rate. I personally think if I would have replaced every part (jets and all) the success on the Q-jets would have been higher but thats $$$ I didn't think needed to be spent, but then what do you have left, the body. I would always recommend replacing with a Holley or Edelbrock before rebuilding a Q-Jet. But then I would also want to throw in a performance intake also

Good Luck