Can you use engine degreaser to clean carburetor: How To Clean a Small Engine Carburetor

How To Clean a Small Engine Carburetor

Lawnmower carburetors, snowblower carburetors and other small engine carburetors share a common functionality; this is where gasoline and air mix before gas continues through the engine. Keeping a clean carburetor helps your machine work properly, prevents corrosion and saves the need for costly replacements.

The air intake can dry out the gas in your carburetor, resulting in a sticky substance that adheres to the walls of the carburetor and builds up over time. Infrequent use of an engine can also cause the gasoline to thicken, reducing the ability of the carburetor’s small parts to move properly. Connections attached to the carburetor’s throttle and choke plates can also become stuck when dirty. Lastly, if the carburetor gives off a smell of turpentine or a chemical odor different from the smell of gasoline, it’s likely overdue for a cleaning.

However, it’s important to use a non-corrosive cleaner which doesn’t harm or degrade any plastic or rubber pieces on the carburetor. You should avoid using vinegar, because the acetic acid makes metal susceptible to rust. Additionally, bleach should never be used, because sodium hypochlorite (bleach) will corrode metals such as steel and aluminum, and degrade rubberized seals.

A safer option to harsh chemicals, Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner is biodegradable* and non-corrosive, safe for cleaning aluminum, stainless steel and other metals. The professional-grade, engine-safe formula breaks down tough grease, oil, road grime and other automotive fluids, making it ideal for cleaning your small engine carburetor.

Check your Owner’s Manual before cleaning the carburetor. Always follow manufacturer’s complete instructions for cleaning and maintenance. Make sure the carburetor is cool to the touch before cleaning.

  1. Dilute cleaner. In a large container, mix 1 part Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner to 3 parts water.
  2. Clear air filter. Before cleaning your carburetor, check the air filter to make sure that the air coming into the carburetor is clean and free of blockage, which can result in black smoke emissions from the exhaust. Shut off the fuel supply and disconnect the spark plug wire, if one exists. Remove the housing and the wing nut attaching the filter, and remove the outer element. Use a can of compressed air to remove debris.
  3. Remove the carburetor. Remove any covering plate or shield, as well as linkage and hoses using pliers and a screwdriver, where necessary. Remove any cover or clamps holding the carburetor in place, and remove the hose clamp that connects it to the fuel line. Remove the carburetor, and use compressed air to blow off any excess dirt on the outside casing. (Note: if unfamiliar with this procedure, consult with a professional before cleaning.)
  4. Remove carburetor float. Remove the bolt holding the carburetor float (bowl-shaped container) in place, being careful not to spill any remaining gas inside the float (dispose of this securely). This is a common point of varnish buildup on carburetors. Also remove the pin that the float pivots on, and place aside in a safe spot. Now pull the float straight out of its casing.
  5. Remove other removable components. Note the location and placement of any other carburetor components you’re removing to allow cleaning access.
  6. Soak and scrub components. Submerge the carburetor float and other components in a large container with your Simple Green Pro HD solution, and soak thoroughly for 10 minutes. Use a brass brush to scrub all metal components, and a stiff nylon brush to scrub plastic pieces. Make sure the tiny vents get cleaned. Clean the small parts in the cleaning solution as well.
  7. Rinse and dry. Rinse all carburetor components in a bucket of clean water, and allow to air dry completely. For small holes and vents, use a can of compressed air to remove any excess moisture.
  8. Reassemble and replace. Carefully reassemble the carburetor, and mount it to the engine. Re-link all hoses, clamps and wires.

 

* Biodegradable formula: This formula decomposes into elements found in nature within six months after disposal into a typical sanitary sewer or septic system.

How To Clean A Carburetor » NAPA Know How Blog

Posted by Jefferson Bryant Maintenance

You can certainly save yourself some frustration by cleaning the gum and varnish off your old carburetor, allowing it to function properly. Carburetors are subject to all manner of gunk- dirt, oil, fuel, grease, just about anything that is involved in your engine often finds its way to your carburetor. Over time this gunk clogs the internals, varnishes the guts, and leads to poor performance. Even cleaning up the exterior of your carb can help bring back the performance of your vehicle. Here’s how to clean a carburetor the right way.

There are several types of carb cleaners: in-tank cleaners that go into the fuel to clean up the interior passages, spray cans to clean the outside (and inside when rebuilding), and the all inclusive dunk tank that takes the entire carb in a basket in a pail of cleaner.

In-Tank

Fuel tank additives, such as CRC 05061 fuel injector and carb cleaner treat the inside of your carburetor to help remove varnish and gunk from the inside. These products work fairly well to clean a carburetor in running vehicles that just need a little bit of clean up. If the car has been sitting a while or is not running well at all, then an in-tank additive is not going to get you very far. It won’t hurt, but chances are you need something more serious like a rebuild.

Spray Can

You may not realize it, but even though the magic happens inside the carb all that gummed up gunk on the outside of the carb makes a difference too. If the linkages for the throttle, choke, and transmission are gummed up they won’t operate correctly and you will be fighting all kinds of battles. When it comes to tuning your carb you want all the adjusters to be clean as well.

Clean the outside of the carb using the spray can by soaking it down, concentrating on the grime.

Scrub it with a soft bristled brush to get the grime broken up.

Blast it again to clear the residue, and wipe it off.

Inside the air horn (under the air cleaner) carb cleaner is the best way to clean up the squirters that meter out the fuel to the engine. With the engine off crank the throttle all the way open while watching the squirters. You should see two shots of fuel as you rotate the throttle, and then two more shots in the rear bowls (if a 4-barrel) as you hit the halfway point and go to wide open throttle. Only do this with the engine off! If one or more barrel is not squirting, you have a problem.

Use the straw on the can to spray the squirter. Try to get right up on it. Work the throttle again. Try this a couple times, if that does not free it up, then you likely need a rebuild.

Dunk Tank

Once you determine that you need a rebuild, pick up a gallon of carb dip. This usually comes in a gallon pail with a small basket. Your carb must be fully disassembled to get the parts in the basket. Follow the instructions. The dip is very similar to the stuff in the spray can, but more concentrated. This stuff can actually last for years, so don’t throw it away. It is great for cleaning up old parts. Just let it soak, rinse and reassemble.

Another excellent use for the spray can carb clean is checking for vacuum leaks. With the engine running at idle, use the can with the straw installed and spray suspected vacuum leak areas. If the engine bogs down and then recovers, that is your leak.

Check out all the chemical products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how to clean a carburetor, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Categories

Maintenance

Tags

carburetor, chemicals, cleaning, fuel, fuel system, gasket, intake

A life-long gearhead, Jefferson Bryant spends more time in the shop than anywhere else. His career began in the car audio industry as a shop manager, eventually working his way into a position at Rockford Fosgate as a product designer. In 2003, he began writing tech articles for magazines, and has been working as an automotive journalist ever since. His work has been featured in Car Craft, Hot Rod, Rod & Custom, Truckin’, Mopar Muscle, and many more. Jefferson has also written 4 books and produced countless videos. Jefferson operates Red Dirt Rodz, his personal garage studio, where all of his magazine articles and tech videos are produced.

How to use carburetor cleaner? | Exclusive representative of ABRO in Russia on the territory of Volga Federal District, Ural Federal District, Siberian Federal District and Far Eastern Federal District

Carburetor and Throttle Cleaner — Dissolves and removes carbon deposits, deposits, oil and other contaminants from the throttle, carburetor and other unpainted metal engine parts.

The main advantage of the carburetor cleaner over other cleaners is the ability to knock out dirt under high pressure.
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The agent quickly evaporates from the treated surface and does not require rinsing with water or a degreaser.

Carburetor cleaner has found wide application in engineering, but is most often used for its intended purpose: cleaning engine throttle valves.

Today we will analyze what a throttle valve is, how it gets dirty and how to clean it.

What is a throttle valve? nine0017

Throttle valve (hereinafter DZ) — a mechanism that regulates the amount of air entering the engine. In modern engines with an electronic control unit (ECU), the DZ is responsible for adjusting the air / fuel ratio and consists of the following parts:

  • damper body;

  • metal shutter;

  • damper drive — can be mechanical or electric;
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  • throttle position sensor;

  • idle sensor;

  • MAP-sensor, it is also an absolute pressure sensor.

Why does the throttle valve get dirty?

The valve cover is vented through the intake system, which contributes to the formation of an «oil cloud» in the manifold. Settling on the walls, it becomes an excellent adhesive for contamination.
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The following types of pollution exist:

Old oil contains sulfur and slag, which are deposited on the walls of the collector and DZ.

The smallest street dust seeps through the air filter and also sticks to the collector walls.

Dirty EGR valve (Exhaust Gas Recirculation), which translates as «exhaust gas recirculation». The valve lets part of the exhaust gases back into the engine intake manifold along with fumes and unburned oil. nine0003

Turbine wheel play. In engines with worn out turbocharging, you can see an increased amount of oil in the DZ.

What are the signs of throttle body contamination?

  • Difficulty starting the engine;
  • The engine «troit» after starting;

  • Floating speed, until the engine stops;

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  • Unstable operation of the engine at low speeds and idling;

  • The car moves jerkily at speeds up to 30 km / h;

  • Increased fuel consumption.

How to clean the damper?

Attention! Before you start cleaning the remote control, make sure it is dirty. If the damper is clean when the inlet pipe is removed, do not dismantle it. Look for other causes of the problem. nine0003

There are two ways to clean the DZ from contamination: quick without dismantling and complete with damper dismantling. Let’s consider both methods.

Cleaning without dem mounting.

Carried out without removing the damper from the vehicle.

  • Open the hood;
  • Remove the air filter and the plastic pipe leading to the damper;
  • We process the outer surface of the damper;
  • Opening the damper by pulling the gas cable, we clean the internal cavities. nine0025

This method has the main disadvantage — the impossibility of 100% cleaning of all channels of the damper sensors.

Therefore, professionals recommend to carry out a complete cleaning of the dampers with dismantling.

Cleaning with dismantling.

  • Open the hood;
  • Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery
  • Remove the air filter and the plastic pipe leading to the damper;
  • nine0022 Disconnect all pipes and chips from the throttle;

  • We unscrew the damper fasteners;
  • Dismantle the damper and place in a container for cleaning;
  • With the help of a carburetor cleaner, we make a complete cleaning of the throttle;
  • Install the dried, clean part in place.

Attention! The product contains solvents. Use gloves when working.

Shutter before processing.

    Flap after processing.

    We have prepared a short video instruction for cleaning the damper on cars with electronic throttle:

    Cleaning the EGR valve.

    Cleaning of injectors.
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    Cleaning of parts before repair.

    Decoking of the piston group.

    Cleaning of tools.

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    chemicals for machines and people

    The third article about autochemistry Autoprofi Professional will talk about two cleaners for equipment and one cleaner for people.
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    Brake and parts cleaner

    Brake and parts cleaner Autoprofi Professional (universal cleaner-degreaser) is a professional solution for cleaning and degreasing parts, tools and all components of the brake system: pads, drums, discs, cylinders, ABS components. Also, the aerosol quickly removes carbon deposits, soot, bituminous, tarry, soot pollution.

    By cleaning the microrelief of friction surfaces, the degreaser increases the efficiency of the brakes. It is also recommended for pre-installation treatment of new brake pads, discs, drums or disc and clutch basket as it removes protective grease. Sounds weird? Not at all.
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    Grease is applied to parts before installation to protect against corrosion during storage. However, before operation, brake discs or drums must be cleaned of grease, otherwise the car may not slow down at all. If you do not clean the disc and clutch basket of grease, you will have to deal with slipping and overheating of the clutch while driving. Therefore, grease from new parts must be removed.

    As a cleaner, it is used to remove residual brake fluid, lubricating oil, bitumen, sealants and adhesives. The aerosol solution allows:
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    • clean without dismantling
    • parts remove dirt with a powerful jet without leaving streaks
    • avoid part oxidation

    Autoprofi Professional Universal Cleaner evaporates quickly after application and does not remain on the treated surface. The product is recommended for use at vehicle service stations. With the observance of precautionary measures, it can be used in everyday life.
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    Cleaner-degreaser chemical properties:

    • based on aliphatic solvent
    • acetone free
    • evaporates quickly
    • has a slight citrus scent

    Available in 650 ml aerosol cans, as well as in 21.5 l canisters.

    Carburetor and throttle cleaner

    Highly effective agent for cleaning channels and chambers of the carburetor, throttle valves, crankcase ventilation valves, restores the mobility of the air damper. Effectively removes carbon deposits, carbon deposits and resins, restores engine power, improves starting, reduces exhaust toxicity, and also normalizes fuel consumption. The convenient nozzle allows you to quickly and accurately apply the cleaner. The agent is sprayed under high pressure, which speeds up the cleaning process.
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    Product effects:

    • Carburetor Factory Rebuild without Disassembly
    • Starting aid
    • Acceleration improvement
    • Reduced fuel consumption
    • Emission control
    • Fuel consumption improvement

    Catalyst attack

    Since throttle bodies are often not dismantled during cleaning, the cleaner applied to them enters the fuel system, where it mixes with fuel and enters the combustion chamber. Accordingly, the composition enters the catalyst in the form of steam and poses no threat. However, you cannot directly spray the cleaner on the catalyst.

    Interference with oxygen sensors

    It is impossible to directly apply the composition to oxygen sensors, since the cleaner is designed for severe contaminants such as tar and soot. In this case, the remains of the cleaner from the carburetor and dampers can get in the form of steam on the oxygen sensors, but in this form the cleaner does not pose any danger to them.
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    Impact on aluminum and plastic

    For aluminum parts, the composition is harmless. As for plastic elements, their cleaner can damage them.

    Action on painted surfaces

    The cleaner contains a strong solvent that easily damages the paintwork of the car. Therefore, the composition must not be applied to painted surfaces! If you still have to spray the cleaner near the paintwork, then you need to keep a dry, clean rag or rag ready to quickly wipe dry the area of ​​​​the painted surface where the drops of the cleaner have fallen.
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    Autoprofi Professional cleaner is suitable for carburetor and injection engines of all types: EFI, MPI, GDI, FSI, etc. When using low-quality gasoline, it is recommended to clean the carburetor and throttle valves every 7-10 thousand km.

    Available in 520 ml aerosol cans.

    Hand cleaning paste

    After a working day, car mechanics need a high-quality, effective hand cleaner, because when repairing a car, everything will not get on the skin: used engine oil, lubricants and other dirt. Especially sticky muck hides inside diesel engines. And after the end of the shift, I absolutely do not want to spend a lot of time washing all this stuff.
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    Needless to say, soap is no help here. And products such as washing powder should not be used every day. Clean machine oil washes hands well, but the method is clearly not cheap. Again, if there is a rumor that in such and such a car service mechanics wash their hands in oil, this will surely scare away customers. Therefore, it is best to clean your hands after car repair with specialized Autoprofi Professional paste.

    The composition is specially designed for use in service stations. It is economical and effective in dealing with such types of contaminants as oils, greases, soot, ink, industrial dust, anti-corrosion and bituminous compounds. The composition of the paste contains an abrasive — wood flour. It enhances cleaning properties and removes the deepest dirt.
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    Properties of Autoprofi Professional Hand Paste:

    • Antiseptic
    • Does not irritate or dry the skin of the hands
    • Non-allergenic (hypoallergenic)
    • pH neutral
    • Fully biodegradable and won’t clog sewers
    • Has a pleasant citrus aroma

    The paste was first produced on a wholesale scale in 11 liter buckets, since the target audience for the Autoprofi Professional line is car services and service stations. In the spring of 2017, a 650 ml package appeared on sale, which is more suitable for retail customers.