How to Clean a Carburetor Without Removing It?

Do it yourself

A good carburetor cleaning spray is a handy tool for workshop professionals. It makes cleaning this part of the vehicle much more effortless.

What is a Carburetor, and How Does it Work?

The carburetor is a mechanical component used in gasoline engines, whose function is to mix air (sucked in from the outside by suction) and fuel as effectively and efficiently as possible. The part uses the intake vacuum to achieve the supply of the fuel mixture to the engine.

The carburetor's origin dates back to around 1850, coinciding with the Otto cycle engine's total development. But it was over time that it was optimized (in terms of efficiency, calibration, etc.) until its implementation in most gasoline vehicles marketed in the 80s of the twentieth century. One of the vehicles of this era that integrated the carburetor was the 1988 Suzuki Vitara.

how to clean a carburetor without removing it

In the latest generation of vehicles, the carburetor is no longer installed. A more precise mixture is achieved through electronic control of the injectors' operation. Also, this new system allows greater control over fuel consumption and the expulsion of harmful gases. Keep in mind this fuel injector needs to kept clean, we would recommend a product like BG 44K for this. However, the Spanish car fleet still has many carburetor-equipped vehicles, so the use of carburetor cleaning sprays or a spray carb cleaner is still beneficial.

Carburetors have many industrial applications, as they are also used in motorcycles, chainsaws, lawnmowers, sewing machines, power tillers, etc.

A poorly regulated or dirty carburetor can reduce the vehicle's power, cause small engine explosions when running, unstable idling, jerking, increased fuel consumption, excessive emission of smoke or a strong gasoline odor, etc.

The carburetor is a complex component that requires exact calibration to achieve optimum performance. It is, therefore, essential to ensure proper maintenance of the carburetor parts. The cleaning of the carburetor parts is a methodical process, making it advisable to consult all the manufacturer's documentation to know in detail the components of the carburetor and the possible adjustments. To carry out this cleaning in-depth and with more ease, tools such as the carburetor cleaning spray or a cleaning solution are of great help. For cleaning your car we also recommend that you check our Torque Detail review.

Steps to Clean the Carburetor with Carburetor Cleaning Spray

Except in specific occasions that require it, carburetor cleaning is usually performed with the component mounted on the vehicle. For proper cleaning, it is advisable to use a carburetor cleaning spray such as LOCTITE SF 7235 and follow the steps below:
Open the hood and remove the air filter and air filter housing to access the carburetor with the engine off.
Protect the area's surroundings to be treated to prevent the carburetor cleaning spray from damaging other components such as wiring, pipes, painted surfaces, O-rings, etc.
Cleaning the outside of the car carburetor: impregnate the entire outside of the carburetor with carburetor cleaner spray, spraying all the parts, including the adjustment elements. This task should not be carried out without protecting the carburetor inside to prevent harmful residues from entering the engine. Also, to perform this step, the workshop technician must take the necessary safety precautions (use of protective goggles, gloves, etc.).
Let the spray carburetor cleaner or a cleaning solution act for a few moments so that the product performs its function. After a reasonable time, if there are heavy dirt areas, clean with a brush, a small brush, or pressurized air until the desired finish is achieved.

Cleaning the inside of the carburetor: after removing the protection that protected the inside of the car carburetor, spray with the carburetor cleaner spray inside the carburetor (venturi, butterfly, screw, spark plug, diffusers, etc.).
Remove the engine guards and start the vehicle, be careful with the belts and other moving parts to avoid entrapment that could endanger the workshop technician's integrity.
With great caution, make small sprays of carburetor cleaner spray inside the carburetor while accelerating and decelerating the vehicle. Repeat this step until the desired degree of cleanliness is reached.

Let the vehicle idle for a few minutes so that all the spray impregnated in the carburetor dries. After this time, the carburetor should be calibrated to adjust the vehicle's idle speed to find the optimum point that allows a proper carburation.
Turn off the engine, install the air filter box, mount the air filter, and close the hood.
Perform a road test for 20 to 25 minutes until the vehicle reaches its ideal operating temperature. This step is essential to ensure successful carburetor cleaning and proper adjustment.

Recommendation

Fuel quality and weather conditions can negatively influence carburetor operation, causing the mixture not to develop properly.

It is essential to carry out a good cleaning and a correct adjustment of this part, following the previously recommended steps, if a carburetor cleaning spray such as LOCTITE SF 7235 will be used and recommended by the manufacturer. Also, the times stipulated in the maintenance book must always be respected according to the vehicle's conditions of use.

In this way, a remarkable efficiency is achieved in the vehicle's operation in terms of power and fuel economy, thanks to the carburetor's optimal mixing.

Last Updated on June 15, 2021 by Nelson