I just looked over the carb cleaning 101 article. Don't you need compressed air at all to clean the carbs? How are you going to get all of that crud out by just using the carb cleaner spray can?
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
off course you use compressed air.............why would you even ask that question.Haven't you ever cleaned carbs before????? 
use air to blow out passages otherwise spray and wipe,,,,, use twist ties & wire gage to make sure jets are clear,,,,, air is only good to blow out cleaned aftermath....
bluemonster1 said:off course you use compressed air.............why would you even ask that question.Haven't you ever cleaned carbs before?????
As a matter of fact, I haven't that's why I'm asking.
if you dont have access to compressed air, i found a little trick sometime back that works as well if not better in my opinion. i purchased a paint gun cleaning kit at the hardware store that has the coolest little orifice brushes you have ever seen. it just so happens that these brushes in assorted sizes are near perfect matches for the air,pilot, and main jet curcuits, as well as the rest of the pass through circuitry on the carbs. makes cleaning carbs a snap and any and all residue is removed with the brushes. quick and efficient.
bluewho
Active member
It realy depends on the condition of the carbs.For the guy that pulls his carbs off before the start of the every season the pressure of the can with the little hose on the end is plenty to blow out the passages after the jets have been removed.
For a sled that has sat with gas in the bowls to the point that it has gone to gunk you might want to use air but letting them soak with carb cleaner for a while is still the way to go. imo
For a sled that has sat with gas in the bowls to the point that it has gone to gunk you might want to use air but letting them soak with carb cleaner for a while is still the way to go. imo
A couple of bucks
VIP Member
A cutting torch Tip Cleaner can also help. Obviously the very small ones.
norwegian said:
X2 - I rarely find a need to use compressed air. If the crud doesn't come off with carb clean, it's probably going to need scrubbing/picking due to galvanic coorsion so as snowdad4 suggested, paint gun brushes work for the really tough stuff.
Spraying carb clean through the passages also gives you a visual indication that they're clear based on the volume of the spray. If the amount of cleaner going through a passage isn't the same as what comes out of the tube unrestricted, it's probably blocked to some degree. Blowing carb clean or compressed air through a passage in the opposite direction of fuel or air flow usually clears any hard or soft obstruction.
I used to use compressed air when soaking carb parts in caustic solution (when I did it for a living) but that was mainly to blow dry the rinse water.
A couple of bucks said:
Be extremely carefull using one of these as it will make the orfice size differnt as the tip cleaner has teeth on the sides and will grind/chew the jet out quite easily, brass isnt very hard. I would try and refrain away from using them. A better option is a single strand of copper wire removed from a short peice of scrap multistrand automotive,etc wire for the stubborn blockages.
the carb cleaner as mentioned needs to flow thru all the circuits,the need for compressed air is to simply dry the cleaner, it wont hurt anything if you dont clean it out with air. You can even just simply blow thru the jets with your mouth if they are clean. If they are clean you can see light thru the jet.
reassemble and run it!
YooperMike
New member
This is just a thought, never tried it, but would the little cans of compressed air you can buy for cleaning out computer keyboards and other electrical stuff work? Seems like it would....just to get the gas and other solvents out anyways. Cheaper than a new air compressor.
A couple of bucks
VIP Member
I accept ZERO blame should you do #1 of the following.
1. Grab the wifes ULTRASONIC jewlrey cleaner.
2. Get a small can out of the recycling bin. Mabey a small mushroom or tomato paste can.
3. Get the fluck out to the garage before the ball and chain catches you and puts you on the.....NO POA LIST.
4. Grap your favorite solvant.....my all time favorite is MEK (methel ethel ketone), and clean till your hearts content.
5. Obviously no rubber parts in this ultrasonic witches brew. Especially with MEK.
6. Hide that MFing ultrasonic cleaner in the man cave so she will NEVER find it.
7. Concockt story in mind about the flipping cleaner so when she asks you where it is...you don't just stand there and stammer around. Something like..."the sink leaked and I had throw it away"
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
1. Grab the wifes ULTRASONIC jewlrey cleaner.
2. Get a small can out of the recycling bin. Mabey a small mushroom or tomato paste can.
3. Get the fluck out to the garage before the ball and chain catches you and puts you on the.....NO POA LIST.
4. Grap your favorite solvant.....my all time favorite is MEK (methel ethel ketone), and clean till your hearts content.
5. Obviously no rubber parts in this ultrasonic witches brew. Especially with MEK.
6. Hide that MFing ultrasonic cleaner in the man cave so she will NEVER find it.
7. Concockt story in mind about the flipping cleaner so when she asks you where it is...you don't just stand there and stammer around. Something like..."the sink leaked and I had throw it away"
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
A couple of bucks
VIP Member
A couple of bucks said:
Yea...sorry I didn't clarify to be EXTREMELY carefull with these buggers. They can change oriface size if your careless. Not something you want a caveman to preform on your carbs.
Thanks for the intervention MrViper.
Millinocket Rocket
New member
YooperMike said:
I would think that would work perfect.
A couple of bucks said:
NOW thats FUNNY!!! LMAO!!!
also mek is very flamable ...one of the strongest solvents you can buy ...
Plus you get the added advantage of seeing what Carb Cleaner tastes like. For added measure I usually get some Carb Cleaner in my eyes. Now that's getting your money's worth.mrviper700 said:You can even just simply blow thru the jets with your mouth if they are clean. If they are clean you can see light thru the jet.
reassemble and run it!
Just kidding guys. . .
Last edited:
Ding said:
During the first part I was thinking your post would explain allot about your bell, then you threw disclaimer in at the end....