Re: Carb cleaning... help
Pretty straightforward job, and one that's done all the time in most shops. A Factory service manual, available from any dealer (including me) is a wise investment. Covers all 3 & 4 cylinder 2-stroke models. Part # 003-21036-1 List Price (MSRP): $42.47
You will need to completely disassemble the carbs, and them submerge them in a real carb dip, such as Tyme (available in 1-gal cans at auto parts stores) for about 4 hours at room temperature. Mark the time. Too little time in the dip won't dissolve everything -- too much time will start dissolving the protective coating on the aluminum. To avoid confusion, and get everything to fit in the dip, you may want to do one carb at a time, especially since this is your first time doing carbs.
Anything of soft organic compound, such as the rubber tip on the float needle, or gasketing material will be dissolved/softened by the dip, so the carbs need to be completely stripped, and only the body and other metal parts submerged.
Use good, sharp screwdrivers that fit the slots precisely, especially when working with the jets. You don't want to mangle the soft brass jets by using a junk or dull tool.
After you pull the bits out of the dip, you can blow out all the passages with spray-type carb cleaner, or some of the dip products allow you to flush the parts off with warm running water. We typically spray things off with carb spray in our shop -- helps prevent sending a jet down the sink drain. In any event, there may be some softened crud in the passages, and you will want to blow that stuff out.
Then you can install a new carb kit if needed. Depends on the condition of the rubber parts. Part # 3F3871221M List Price (MSRP): $120.65, available from any dealer (including me). Kit includes gaskets, float & needle valve. One kit repairs all 3 carburetors.
In the future, remember to always disconnect the fuel line at the motor, and run the carbs out at the end of the day, to help avoid varnishing that is caused by the fuel evaporating out of the carbs. When laying up for the off-season, you can also drain the carbs (with the drain plugs) to get the last teaspoon of fuel out.
