carberutor cleaning

[dlkemp22]

I have an 1983 Mercury Outboard engine. I am new to outboard motors and was told I should clean my carbs. Could you give me some advice on how to clean them?

 

[dlkemp22]

Re: carberutor cleaning

That is a 200 hp mercury engine!!

 

[quantumleap]

Re: carberutor cleaning

It is usually best to remove and rebuild them. You should also decarb the engine and rebuild the water pump if you are not sure when it was last done.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: carberutor cleaning

If your carbs do in fact need cleaning it means on the inside, by dismantling. Its the inside not the outside that counts. It requires removal, disassembly, cleaning with solvent and compressed air, and installation of a rebuild kit which is usually nothing more than a new float valve and a couple of gaskets or O-rings. Its not rocket science, but you should have a manual (see bottom of this web page). The hardest part will be getting at them to remove them.<br /><br />Although its common to need to clean them, who says and why that they need cleaning?

 

[brianmerc]

Re: carberutor cleaning

I have a 1976 Merc 1150 and I am thinking about rebuilding the carbs.<br /><br />What kind of cleaning solvents can be used? Brand names please. THANKS!

 

[quantumleap]

Re: carberutor cleaning

Any name brand automotive carb cleaner will work. Just don't use it on any plastic or rubber parts.

 

[dingbat]

Re: carberutor cleaning

Why do you need to clean your carbs? Is the motor acting up? I’m a firm believer in being proactive and I’m diligent on my preventative maintenance, but the one thing I’ve learned after all these years is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

 

[dlkemp22]

Re: carberutor cleaning

Well last year the last time I had took the boat out it started stauling out a little towards the end of the day, I assumed it was the carbs. The reason for the assumption is b/c I was told that if the boat had been sat up for a while with gas in it that it gums the carbs up. This boat sat for almost a year with a little gas in it, so I assumed that was the reason for it stauling out.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: carberutor cleaning

Entirely possible but check out some other things first. Check spark. When it starts to stall, try pumping the fuel bulb. If that helps its your fuel pump not your carbs. If that has no effect try choking it as it starts to stall, if that helps it is probably the carbs.<br /><br />Any brand of spray carb cleaner Brianmerc, use it on the internal orifices along with compressed air, not the outside or just the throat.

 

[gss036]

Re: carberutor cleaning

Sounds like it's SeaFoam time. Don't know how big your tank is but a good strong dose will help with cleaning out the crud. I am also a believer, if it aint boke, don't fix it.