Cleaning a Carburetor in 8 Easy Steps!

The carburetor is the most common problem area in all small engines. The carburetor is where the fuel mixes with the air to be burnt. Carburetors are on almost all types of combustion engines. When an engine sits for a long period of time without being ran, the fuel will start to break down. Make sure you replace the fuel in your tank before you start your engine after cleaning the carburetor otherwise you will just recreate your troubles.

The carburetor being cleaned in this is off an old motorcycle and will look like most other carbs off a motorcycle or ATV. While most carburetors won't look the exact same as the one being shown, they still will have most the same functions and layout.

Tools needed:
Phillips screwdriver
Flat screwdriver
Needle nose pliers
Wire brush
Wrenches or socket set

Supplies needed:
Carb and choke cleaner
Carburetor and parts cleaner (optional)
Gasket set or carb rebuild kit (recommended)

Step 1: Remove the Carburetor

Picture 1: The first step in taking off the carburetor is turning the fuel valve off on the fuel tank. Track the fuel line down to the carb and remove the hose. (If the line is old and cracked you will want to replace the hose to ensure there are no leaks.) There will also be an overflow hose coming out of the carburetor, remove this hose too. Next, loosen the screws in the clamps in the front and rear of the carb. The carburetor should be loose; you should be able to wiggle and twist the carb to remove it. The carb will be held in by the throttle cable. The throttle comes off by twisting the top cap. When you unscrew it and it comes off the slide will still be attached to it. The carb should now be removed.

Picture 2: After removing the carb, you need to remove the throttle slide from the cable(still attached to the vehicle). This can be a tough task but the picture shows it completed to show the parts. After you have the cable unhooked you can pull everything off the cable, and should have the parts in the picture.

Comments

[keridae]

This was a fantastic walk-through for removing and cleaning a carb....I am a complete novice, and it was the best and most-detailed instruction I could find. Well done.

[bobelon]

Do yourself and the environment a favor and soak the offending parts a 100% Simple Green solution. Varnish and crud just melts away.

[dchall8]

Everyone with a carburated vehicle should read this.  Cleaning a carburetor is an easy way to keep your vehicle performing at its best. 

[Vinsu]

Right. Cleaning/changing airfilter is the other important way to keep the engine going.

[yo man]

well you can save mony by useing gas.

[abadfart]

i use the same carb dip as in this ible and it was only 20 usd a can and honestly you can clean your carbs hundreds of times with one can the gas wont work as well at the dip

[lemonie]

Useful post, people do ask questions about engines, and cleaning the carb' is one answer to 2-stroke problems.

L