Carb Lift Tube Question - BF30A Honda

[Brad_BF30A]

I am in the middle of cleaning my first outboard carb and I have a question about the lift tube / emulsion tube. The tube is obstructed from end to end. There seems to be a section about 1/4" to 3/8" from the bottom of the tube.

How do I clean the tube out? The smallest drill bit I have is .040" and it appears to be too big. Will soaking it in carb cleaner clear it out? I read about some people using a small "wire" to clean jets? Where would I get a wire that small? Will a welding tip cleaner work?

This is my first post on this forum but I have been reading it for a week or so. I have already learned a whole lot of good info from you folks. Thanks!

Thanks for any help,
Brad

 

[Brad_BF30A]

Re: Carb Lift Tube Question - BF30A Honda

Figured it out myself. I went down to Home depot and bought one foot of 1/8" wire rope and pulled one single strand out of it. I used that to open the lift tube up. The lift tube in the middle carb was completely closed. The one in the bottom carb was mostly closed. I tried some Sea Foam first with no good result.

The hardest part was making a replacement intake manifold gasket.

Put it all back together and it runs like new.

Brad