Sylvie Willis
If you're looking to clean your carburetor, you'll need to disconnect the fuel line from the carburetor or fuel injectors. You can then spray carburetor cleaner into the fuel line, making sure to direct the spray into all of the nooks and crannies. Once you've thoroughly saturated the fuel line, reconnect it and turn on the engine. Let it run for a few minutes, then turn it off and allow the carburetor cleaner to work. After an hour or so, disconnect the fuel line again and blow it out with compressed air. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get all of the residue out of the fuel line.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel line spray | Fuel line spray is used to clean the carburetor |
| Fuel line disconnection | The fuel line should be disconnected from the carburetor before spraying |
| Carburetor cleaner | Carburetor cleaner should be sprayed into the fuel line and all openings, including nooks and crannies |
| Engine | The engine should be turned on after reconnecting the fuel line to allow the carburetor cleaner to work |
| Residue | The fuel line should be blown out with compressed air to remove any remaining residue |
| Gaskets and O-rings | Check for damage or wear on gaskets and O-rings and replace if necessary |
| Reinstallation | Reinstall the cleaned jets, needle valve, float, and float bowl, tightening the screws evenly to prevent leaks |
| Reconnection | Reconnect all cables, hoses, clamps, and the battery, and turn on the fuel supply |
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What You'll Learn
How to clean a carburetor
If your fuel line is spraying when you loosen it from the carburettor, it may be stuck. Try opening your pliers to their widest setting and gripping and twisting it. You could also tap on the side to loosen it.
To clean a carburettor, start by disconnecting the fuel line from the carburettor. Spray carburettor cleaner into the fuel line, directing it into all the nooks and crannies. Once you've thoroughly saturated the fuel line, reconnect it and turn on the engine. Let it run for a few minutes, then turn it off and allow the carburettor cleaner to work. After an hour or so, disconnect the fuel line again and blow it out with compressed air. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get all the residue out of the fuel line.
Spray cleaner into all openings, paying attention to the throttle and choke areas. Use compressed air to blow out debris and ensure clear passages. Check for damage or wear on gaskets and O-rings. Replace any that appear cracked or brittle. Reinstall the cleaned jets, needle valve and float. Reattach the float bowl and tighten the screws evenly to prevent leaks. Slide the carburettor back into place, ensuring a snug fit with the airbox and manifold. Reconnect all cables, hoses and clamps. Reattach the fuel line and confirm there are no loose connections. Reconnect the battery and turn on the fuel supply.
Before cleaning your carburettor, check the air filter to make sure that the air coming into the carburettor is clean and free of blockage, which can result in black smoke emissions from the exhaust. Shut off the fuel supply and disconnect the spark plug wire. Remove the housing and the wing nut attaching the filter, and remove the outer element. Use a can of compressed air to remove debris.
Make sure the carburettor is cool to the touch before cleaning. Dilute the cleaner. In a large container, mix one part Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner to three parts water. Clear the air filter. Soak the carburettor in the cleaner solution. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean all parts. Rinse and dry the carburettor. Reassemble the carburettor. Reinstall the carburettor on the engine.
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How to disconnect a fuel line from a carburetor
If your fuel line sprays when you loosen it from the carburetor, it could be a sign of a bad pump. However, if your car is running well, it might just be in the right position for this to happen.
To disconnect a fuel line from a carburetor, you will need to use a fuel line disconnect tool. Spray some brake cleaner or WD-40 onto the spring, push in on the line, push the tool in, then pull the line off. You can also cut the end off a Sharpie cap, split the tube lengthwise, and insert it into the flared portion of the line. You may need to push it in with a pair of pliers, but it should pop off.
If the fuel line is stuck, you can try opening your pliers to their widest setting and gripping, then twisting. You could also tap on the side to loosen it. Hold the carb in your weak hand and hit the bowl downward with the handle, and it should pop loose. Twist the hose to break it loose, then twist and pull.
If you have a new hard line, you can try cutting the existing line short enough to allow the filter housing to unscrew from the carb body. Take the housing to a workbench, clamp the filter housing in a vise, and use a line wrench to remove the flare nut.
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How to clean gummed-up fuel lines
If your fuel line is spraying when loosened from the carburetor, it is likely that it is gummed up.
To clean gummed-up fuel lines, you will need to start by disconnecting the fuel line from the carburetor or fuel injectors. You can then spray carburetor cleaner into the fuel line, making sure to direct the spray into all of the nooks and crannies. Once the fuel line is thoroughly saturated, reconnect it and turn on the engine. Let it run for a few minutes, then turn it off and allow the carburetor cleaner to work. After an hour or so, disconnect the fuel line again and blow it out with compressed air. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get all of the residue out of the fuel line.
You can also try using a cheap fluid transfer pump to suck fuel from the soft rubber line leading into the tank, to confirm that the fuel pick-up isn't blocked.
If your fuel line is .17 inches or larger, you can try making a pattern with a coat hanger to clean it. You can also try using a piece of speedo cable or aircraft type cable, chucking it up in an electric drill and spinning it through.
When using carburetor cleaner, be sure to use it sparingly to avoid damaging seals or components. Avoid spraying too much cleaner into electrical connections near the carburetor.
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How to remove a fuel line from a carburetor
If you want to remove a fuel line from a carburetor, you should first disconnect the battery to avoid accidental electrical contact. Shut off the fuel supply by turning the petcock to the "Off" position. Remove the seat and fuel tank if necessary to expose the carburetor. Disconnect the throttle and choke cables, vacuum hoses and fuel lines. Label them for easy reassembly.
If your fuel line has a hex bolt holding it on, you should be able to loosen it like a normal bolt. If it's stuck, it may have a rubber gasket that seals it. Open your pliers to their widest setting and grip, then twist it. You could also tap on the side to loosen it. Don't grip the bowl with pliers or Channellocks. Just hold the carb in your weak hand and hit the bowl downward with the handle, and it should pop loose. Twist the hose to break it loose, then twist and pull.
If there is a barbed nylon nipple inside the hose, try not to bend and snap it, but it can be replaced if you do.
If you are removing a fuel line from a barbed connection, you could try using a heat gun. You could also try flare fittings, where a male pipe to male flare adapter is installed in the carburetor and a female flare to hose adapter is installed in the hose. The connection is made wrench tight without sealant of any kind.
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How to avoid damaging seals or components when cleaning a carburetor
When cleaning a carburettor, it is important to avoid damaging seals or components. To do this, you should start by disconnecting the fuel line from the carburettor or fuel injectors. You should then spray carburettor cleaner into the fuel line, directing the spray into all the nooks and crannies. Once you have thoroughly saturated the fuel line, reconnect it and turn on the engine. Let it run for a few minutes, then turn it off and allow the carburettor cleaner to work. After an hour or so, disconnect the fuel line again and blow it out with compressed air. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get all the residue out of the fuel line.
When spraying the carburettor cleaner, be sure to use it sparingly to avoid damaging seals or components. Avoid spraying too much cleaner into electrical connections near the carburettor. If problems persist after cleaning, a full disassembly might be necessary.
Before cleaning, park your vehicle on a level surface and turn off the engine. Disconnect the battery to avoid accidental electrical contact. Shut off the fuel supply by turning the petcock to the "Off" position. Remove the seat and fuel tank if necessary to expose the carburettor. Disconnect the throttle and choke cables, vacuum hoses and fuel lines. Label them for easy reassembly. Loosen the clamps securing the carburettor to the airbox and engine manifold.
Spray cleaner into all openings, paying attention to the throttle and choke areas. Use compressed air to blow out debris and ensure clear passages. Check for damage or wear on gaskets and O-rings. Replace any that appear cracked or brittle. Reinstall the cleaned jets, needle valve and float. Reattach the float bowl and tighten the screws evenly to prevent leaks. Slide the carburettor back into place, ensuring a snug fit with the airbox and manifold. Reconnect all cables, hoses and clamps.
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Frequently asked questions
No, this is not normal. If your fuel line is spraying, it may be clogged. Try disconnecting the fuel line from the carburetor and spraying carburetor cleaner into the line.
First, check if there is a hex bolt holding the fuel line in place. If so, you should be able to loosen it like a normal bolt. If not, try opening your pliers to their widest setting and gripping, then twisting. You could also tap on the side to loosen it.
Reconnect the fuel line and turn on the engine. Let it run for a few minutes, then turn it off and allow the carburetor cleaner to do its job. After an hour or so, disconnect the fuel line again and blow it out with compressed air.
If problems persist after cleaning, a full disassembly might be necessary. You can also try using compressed air to blow out any remaining debris and ensure clear passages.
