Cleaning a Carb

So here is a good example of what could happen when you store a gas machine for several years without draining the carbs. This is from a Kawasaki 250R (Baby Ninja).

I have soaked it in sea foam and carb cleaner, but I think I will need to use tougher measure and pour boiling water and vinegar to let it soak. Don't think I can actually boil the carb in the house as the wife didn't seem to fond of the idea so hopefully boiling water will do and let it soak for a few days.

This is what the carb looked like when I opened the first float. Probably the worse I have ever seen. In fact the two lower jets are stuck in so I am hoping this will help loosen them. Even the float needles were gunked in.

Unless your part mechanic don't let your machines set for several years without draining the carb or using a fuel stabilizer my preference is sea foam.

Even thought I only store the ATV for the winter I add a stabliizer. The estimated price if I took the motorcycle to the shop and told them to take it out and fix it is approx 1000.00.

I always found that naphtha was a good carb cleaner

That is nasty !! When I was a kid, we built dune buggies out of Volkswagens. We used to boil dirty carbs in janitor in a drum..... worked great. I don’t know if it’s even available now.....

Yeah poured that in as well, just now.

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Originally Posted by Sam Menard

I always found that naphtha was a good carb cleaner

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Never heard of a janitor in a drum? But wife said I can't use the big pot for boiling motorcycle parts in.
So all I can do is boil water and mix it with vinegar and pour it over the carb then let it soak for a few days. I don't know if I boil it while she is gone will it leave anything in the pot like a stain that she would notice?

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

That is nasty !! When I was a kid, we built dune buggies out of Volkswagens. We used to boil dirty carbs in janitor in a drum..... worked great. I don’t know if it’s even available now.....

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About wife ...
I dare to heat treat wood blank for my knife in her oven in the kitchen ... Only once ... For obvious reason....
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Originally Posted by greatwhite

Unless your part mechanic don't let your machines set for several years without draining the carb or using a fuel stabilizer my preference is sea foam.

Even thought I only store the ATV for the winter I add a stabliizer. The estimated price if I took the motorcycle to the shop and told them to take it out and fix it is approx 1000.00.

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If it was affordable, an ultrasonic cleaner would be the answer. That not being so, I would take out all the plastic and rubber parts and soak it in a covered acetone container outside for at least a couple days.
The last thing I would ever do is store gas with a stabilizer in a motor. I don't care what anyone says about storing carbs dry, they don't gum up that way.

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

Never heard of a janitor in a drum? But wife said I can't use the big pot for boiling motorcycle parts in.
So all I can do is boil water and mix it with vinegar and pour it over the carb then let it soak for a few days. I don't know if I boil it while she is gone will it leave anything in the pot like a stain that she would notice?

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Probably ! I wouldn’t use a good pot ...

Your buying a new carb..

Oh I will fix it. It will just take time. I got everything else apart. But I do think I will replace all 4 jets and one float needle. I think they are done.

If it is fixed I could afford to drive down to your neck of the woods to go hunting. Have to find something to hunt in the warm weather.

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Originally Posted by Snowwalker

Your buying a new carb..

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