Cleaning carbs...

[Shiv]

How hard is this? I see a lot of bikes where - at least they claim so - all that's needed is the carbs cleaned or rebuilt.

Now, I read up on cleaning carbs, and apparently there's a chance that they'll explode on you? Did I read that right? Cause I read it like three times lol.


But, explosions aside, how hard is it to clean your carbs? Or how much would it cost to get a dealership to do it for you?

[paul246]

If the bike is running at all, even poorly, you might give a liquid cleaner a try (mechanic in a can). Two good brands are Seafoam and the other is Wynn's Xtend88 Plus. In the case of the Wynn's, you will probably have to go to a dealer's parts counter (GM) and ask for it. Dump half the bottle into a full tank.

[9000white]

where did you read that a carburetor will explode while cleaning it???
if you go there again please find out if the sky is falling.

[Sev]

Maybe if it's running?

[canuckerjay]

I had to have my carbs cleaned once. brampton cycle had to soak it in some solution and then scrub out some gunk.

Take care to store properly, but in the meantime, know that it's apparantly a tedious, long process.

[dr_bar]

Two good brands are Seafoam and the other is Wynn's Xtend88 Plus.

paul246

I've heard a lot about Seafoam recently, but I haven't been able to find it. Where can it be acquired in Canada??? Is it really as good as most people claim?

[paul246]

Two good brands are Seafoam and the other is Wynn's Xtend88 Plus.

paul246

I've heard a lot about Seafoam recently, but I haven't been able to find it. Where can it be acquired in Canada??? Is it really as good as most people claim?

Seafoam seems to only be available in eastern Canada, but the Wynns Xtend88 Plus is available at jobbers and behind parts counters, don't think you can just get it off the shelf. I bought the Xtend88 at the local GM dealer, and the stuff works.

[storysunfolding]

I like the gumout products.

As far as the carb exploding, I haven't heard of that, but I have heard of rare cases where they catch on fire. If you've ever been to Dan's motorcycle repair webpage, he tells you to have a fire extinguisher handy anytime you play with something with gas in it.

[Shiv]

http://www.dansmc.com/carbs.htm


That's from Dans page that was mentioned above. It mentions in the second paragraph about carbs that have exploded and has some pictures of them.


But how hard is it to do? I just dump a bottle of that Seafoam stuff into the gas tank and let it run through the carbs and that should do it?



Edit: Actually one should check out things before they assume. You know what they say about assuming.

The 'exploded' view is just a detailed view listing all the parts where it's stretched out. I just read 'explode' and went 'whoa'.

Ah well.

[Seetrout]

I've heard a lot about Seafoam recently, but I haven't been able to find it.

Seafoam is well regarded in the boating community and also among the Tractor Trailer crowd.
Try calling around to your local boat dealers and heavy truck shops.