Lubricating butterfly valves

[Skinner]

Last November I stripped and dipped my BS34 carbs. I reassembled them and they sat inside the house until they were reinstalled a couple of weeks ago. After they were initially cleaned the butterflies were “snappy” like they should be. However, they now move slowly and sluggishly. Do I need to lube the valves or is something else perhaps wrong? If they need lubing, what’s the best way to go about it?

Cheers!
K

[Nessism]

Wd40 wouldn't hurt.

[chuck hahn]

WD40 evaporates. Get some quality spray can lithium grease. Many brands out there. Juice them up and work around..wipe off the excess.

[Steve]

I have a small squeeze bottle with a long metal tip that will dispense small quantities of oil in rather precise locations. I apply a few drops of motor oil (yes, Rotella synthetic) directly to the pivot points, then work the throttle a few times, the "snappy" action is quickly restored.

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[chuck hahn]

Steve. Youre post reminded me of Zoom Spout oil we used to lube furnace blower motors. Pull out the straw and you can get in there a good 4 or 5 inches. I may be looking for a bottle soon.

[Skinner]

Thanks gentlemen. I’ll take care of this tomorrow.

[Cipher]

perhaps the seal on the shaft have swollen? DO they use rubber or some felt thing?

[Nessism]

Vacuum will suck out any lubricant you spray around the shaft. The only thing you are looking to do is free up any sticky varnish that is coagulating in the crevice. You can even shoot some carb spray in there.

[chuck hahn]

Thus my first suggestion..spray grease. It wont suck out as easily.

[Gorminrider]

I have a small squeeze bottle with a long metal tip that will dispense small quantities of oil in rather precise locations. I apply a few drops of motor oil (yes, Rotella synthetic) directly to the pivot points, then work the throttle a few times, the "snappy" action is quickly restored.

.

ah yes...Cutting the sharp end off a hypodermic can do this too, but I recently was tossing out a "printer cartridge refill kit" and the little bottles for doing it are exactly as you describe...larger ID than most needles for a thicker oil...
I can't say I've seen a throttle so bad as OP's description of "sticky". The return spring is pretty strong so hopefully it's not so corroded as to let air in there....

[Skinner]

I can't say I've seen a throttle so bad as OP's description of "sticky". The return spring is pretty strong so hopefully it's not so corroded as to let air in there....

They just move more slowly than they should. When they were reassembled after the strip n' dip the butterflies would snap back quickly when released. They still go back, but are just a little sluggish. They definitely aren't dirty or corroded - the carbs are in great condition.