Why you DON'T use Carb Cleaner!

[FORMA MOTO]

FCR carb, body seal damage from soaking the carb in Carb Cleaner

[qkenuf4u]

PINE-SOL and youll never have that problem again.. but your carbs will be stupid clean....

[BoxcarWilly]

? never had this happen ?

[qkenuf4u]

? never had this happen ?

i personally never have either but ya never know...

KRANNIE- which carb cleaner did you use ?

[FORMA MOTO]

i personally never have either but ya never know...

KRANNIE- which carb cleaner did you use ?

The issue is AUTOMOTIVE CARB cleaner.

MC cleaner is fine.

Automotive carbs no longer use rubber seals, so the cleaner has much stronger solvent.

There is no reason to use anything stronger.

[jonboat]

Sorry about your carb. I always worry about any type of carb cleaner on rubber or plastic parts.

[qkenuf4u]

The issue is AUTOMOTIVE CARB cleaner.

MC cleaner is fine.

Automotive carbs no longer use rubber seals, so the cleaner has much stronger solvent.

There is no reason to use anything stronger.

i use B12-CHEMTOOL in the gallon cans..... cant get anymore AUTOMOTIVE carb cleaner than that..... but as i stated ill be going to the PINE-SOL as a cleaner for my customers carb cleans from now on so i dont have to worry about this ... ?

[xMANBEARPIGx]

I use K&W carb cleaner will that harm my seals?

I dont soak just quick squirts.

[Leardriver]

The brake cleaner I use is way stronger then carb cleaner, yet I hear that brake cleaner is ok. I've used auto carb cleaner on bikes for 35 years without even the hint of a problem. Soaking overnight? No, that would be misuse of the product.

There is always a way to have a negative outcome when a product is used in a manner other than which is was designed. Carb cleaner is for blasting and wiping off oily goo from metal, not dropping in a part that contains rubber seals.

The next thing you know, someone will be telling us not to use pressure washers on bikes. Pressure washers were practically invented for bikes. Oops, too late!

A little common sense goes a long way. Carb cleaner is a terrific product, but if I leave it on my hands long enough, it starts to burn my cuts.

[tech24]

ouch, thats not an easy gasket to find either is it?

[BajaFool]

Krannie,

I just went through the torture of trying to gain access to a plugged Pilot Jet in the carb on a 2008 Yamaha WR450F. Finally gave up and paid a mechanic to fix the problem. Discussing carb cleaners, is there anything that can be introduced into the carb via the fuel intake line that will effectively clean the varnish out of a Pilot Jet that is clogged from old gas after 15 months of non- operation?

[hcbrf3]

Hey guys, do you really use Pine-Sol for cleaning carbs? Don't think you were kidding, but wanted to make sure. Can you share what ratio you use and how long you soak it. Or just how you use it in geneneral with the carb? Never thought about it for cleaning up this kind of mess.

[juliend]

I've seen this more than once on PWK's.

[Speed-Freek]

Carb cleaner works great, but you need to strip the carb of all rubber/plastic parts before doing so, seems strange to soak a carb thats still assembled anyway..

Never heard of Pine-Sol for carb cleaning....??

[Bturner]

i use B12-CHEMTOOL in the gallon cans..... cant get anymore AUTOMOTIVE carb cleaner than that..... but as i stated ill be going to the PINE-SOL as a cleaner for my customers carb cleans from now on so i dont have to worry about this ...

Pine Sol really? In what manner do you use it? Soak, spray and wipe, rubber stuff on/off, etc.. Sounds like a cheaper easier way to do it! And it cleans the inside and outside really well?

[hcbrf3]

Carb cleaner works great, but you need to strip the carb of all rubber/plastic parts before doing so, seems strange to soak a carb thats still assembled anyway..

Never heard of Pine-Sol for carb cleaning....??

The FCR's are not to be completely disassembled. I was lucky to find out before hand, but other have not. If you take it all the way apart, it is really hard to get the replacement seal that goes in the middle.

[James_Dean]

JDJetting has the replacement gaskets for the FCR carburetor mid-body. They fit most versions of the FCR, but not the FCRs with a removeable intake flange found on the 1998-2003 WR and YZ400/426

[Dirt Hog]

I use a liberal amount of automotive carb cleaner followed by compressed air. Never had any issues. I generally don't soak my stuff overnight. But thanks for the photos and info on what not to do in the future.

As for the pine-sol thing..... Not on my parts!

?

[Smacaroni]

No rubber or plastic in carb cleaner ever. It even says so on the can. Not my can, mine says "Chupa Chups Lollipops", but that's another story.

[bigthumper40]

*Common Sense* - Carb Cleaner eats aways seals usually harsh chemicals + seals = Shot seals... Take your seals out first and you wont have a problem if in doubt pm someone about it.