Carburetor Cleaning for Rebuild & Related Questions

[Terrapin]

I purchased 3 carburetor rebuild kits to rebuild the carburetors on my 1986 Johnson 150 HP outboard. This is mainly for preventive maintenance, but I did seem to experience gas leakage out of one of the carbs last summer and some occasional flooding. Hec, possibly I have old cork floats or leaking plastic floats. I've done some reading in my factory service manual and on a few forums regarding cleaning the carburetors after disassembly. The manual seems to adhere to just cleaning the disassembled carbs with a mild aerosol solvent. In addition, there is a note to, "Never clean a carburetor by soaking in a hot tank or carburetor cleaner". I thought I read somewhere that the anodizing could be removed if soaked too long and in too strong a cleaner. However, I have seen recomendations to clean the carbs overnight in a can of carburetor cleaner (with parts basket) from the likes of NAPA or other parts stores. So my question is, is it ok to soak them and if so in what type of cleaner brand and for how long?

Should I replace the intermediate and high speed fuel orifices or is cleaning all they need?

Should I remove the calibration pocket core plugs for cleaning and replace them with the new ones in the rebuild kit? If so, any tips on how to replace them? I'm guessing they rest on a surface in the hole/cylinder with the convex side up and you hit them with a mallet to flatten them or to bow/flex them the opposite direction, or a certain diameter drift punch? Do I need the OMC Adhesive M?

Should I remove the lead shot prior to cleaning? I don't believe replacements are included in the rebuild kit. Are there any tricks to removal or replacement?

Do I need the OMC Locquic Primer and OMC Screw Lock for the four float chamber screws? Is there a more readily available alternate?

Thanks for the help

 

[wired247]

Re: Carburetor Cleaning for Rebuild & Related Questions

You dont want to use an alkaline cleaner like simple green or the purple stuff. Solvent based cleaners like berrymans or any of the spray on cleaners are OK. Chlorinated cleaners are OK but not very effective.

I don't pull soft plugs. Its as effective to use a non chlorinated cleaner and hose out the passages with the straw.

Blue loctite will work to hold screws. I use red.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Carburetor Cleaning for Rebuild & Related Questions

An aerosol cleaner, like the product Gumout will dissolve all internal dried fuel/fuel gelatin. I'd pull all the jets and do a visual inspection, but they do not need to be replaced by new jets. I've been lucky and have not had to pull the core plugs out of my carbs-I'd try to clean them without doing so, if possible. If you pull the core plugs out, you will have to reinstall them using a special sealant called Gasoila to seal the round domed plugs. You do not need anything special when replacing the 4 bowl screws, just get them moderately tight. My procedure is to squirt the gumout(with the straw) into a fuel passage on one carb. Note the spray coming out of the other end of the passage/hole..Go on to the same passage on the next carb. Spray noting the spray/flow coming out of that passage. The outflows should be the same between the carbs. Repeat with carb 3. The go on to the next passage in carb 1, repeating on each carb, etc. If you find a passage that won't spray the same flow/pattern, it could be clogged and you need to work on that one.