White Stuff in Carbs

B

bco2jco

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Joined
Feb 5, 2007
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central ny
I just cleaned the carbs on my wifes sx600 venom and the 2 pilot jets were cloogged with white stuff. There was also a a single blob of the gel stuff in each housing just hanging out. Everything else looked clean and shiny.

I did a search and this seems to be a common problem, this white stuff in carbs but I couldnt find an explanation of what it is or the cause.

Curious, I removed the covers from the top of the carbs (the black cover held in place by two screws) and found ALOT of this gunk in the housing. I actually thought it was grease used to lubricate the rod that passes thru all three carbs that rotates when you give it throttle. (forgive my ignorance of the correct terminology for these parts) In each carb where the rod enters the housing there was a smooth layer of "grease" surrounding the rod. There was also bits scattered in the housing though too. Anyway somehow this stuff is making its way into the carbs (thru the passage that opens when your choke it maybe ?) so i decided to clean it using carb cleaner and air until I cound not see any more.

So did I do the right thing by removing this stuff, or was this a necessary lubricant ......Does anyone actually know what this stuff is??
 
The "white gel stuff" is the bad stuff from the sounds of it. Most likely is congealed, old gasoline. Ethanol seems to cause more of this, and leaving the sled with the carbs with fuel in them over the summer causes the gasoline to go bad, and this is what plugs carbs, and can lead to burn down in some cases.

Cleaning it out is a good thing.
 
If you had the visible white stuff, you need to check/clean the "Top Hat" filters under the float bowl needle seat. A search will find instructions on this.
 
Thanks, I will clean the screens. I already cleaned the carbs following the instructions in the Tech page. It doesnt mention the screens though. Luckily, I have not put the carb rack back in the sled yet.

Well, I am now committed to cleaning carbs every season. Even though its been recommended over and over on here, I put it off untill I had drivability issues. (Just lazy I guess). Not anymore!

Thanks to all for input.
 
bco2jco said:
I did a search and this seems to be a common problem, this white stuff in carbs but I couldnt find an explanation of what it is or the cause.
Click to expand...

This stuff was bad for me last year and even worse at the beginning of this season...Good old ethanol...

The gas just sucks..... :o|
 
The "gel" in your bowls is a result of the ethanol being an organic and actually growing bacteria. Google "Startron Enzyme Additive" to get the full skinny. Use asplash every fill up and not an issue anymore..
 
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