SYSTEMS
CARBURETOR
INSPECTING AND CLEANING THE CHOKE
CORRECT OPERATIONCleaning the Carburetor
*MEDIUM*
As preventative maintenance, consider using a fuel system cleaning additive every 5,000 miles to help prevent deposit accumulation on the inside of the carburetor. Simply pour the additive into a full tank of fuel and drive the vehicle under normal conditions. This is often an inexpensive way to keep the carburetor in optimum condition.
However, if the carburetor jets and passages are suspected of having enough deposits to affect performance, you can clean them even more thoroughly without removing the carburetor from the engine. Cleaning the carburetor in place is preferable and much easier than detaching and disassembling it. If your carburetor does not need any professional servicing but just a thorough cleaning, purchase a carburetor solvent cleaning kit and follow this procedure:
- Park the vehicle on level ground in a well-ventilated area with the engine OFF, the parking brake engaged, and the transmission in PARK (for automatic) or REVERSE (for manual). Raise the hood.
- Remove the air cleaner to expose the carburetor.
- Disconnect the fuel line at the carburetor inlet following the steps given for changing the carburetor fuel filter (but don't change the filter).
- Plug the open fuel line. A fitting is usually provided in the carburetor solvent cleaning kit.
- Use the appropriate adapter to connect one end of the flexible solvent hose to the carburetor fuel inlet. Connect the other end to the can of solvent and suspend the can high above the carburetor from the underside of the hood. The solvent will be fed into the carburetor by gravity. Attach the air cleaner.
- Start the engine and let it run at varying speeds to clean all passages. Run the engine until the solvent is consumed and it stalls. Disconnect the solvent hose from the carburetor and reconnect the fuel line. Remove the empty solvent can.
- Start the engine and let it idle. Look for any fuel line leaks at the carburetor fuel inlet and correct them if necessary.
SYSTEMS CARBURETOR INSPECTING AND CLEANING THE CHOKE CORRECT OPERATION