Cleaning Idle Passages

[Anonymous]

Here's a tip for cleaning Idle passages using a spray can of carb cleaner with the extension plastic tip. Find and carefully remove the Idle jet(don't strip the screwdriver slot(soft brass)) and locate the Pilot air jet opening. Block your throttle valve open and visually locate all of the small holes in your carb bore including the idle mixture screw opening. Jam the tip of the carb cleaner extension nozzle down into the bottom of the Idle jet hole so it will seal the opening and not leak. Place a free finger over the Pilot air jet opening to seal it. Start spraying carb cleaner into the Idle jet hole, short bursts at first and then more of a steady stream as it starts to clear the holes. Watch the holes in the carb bore to be sure that they are getting cleaner, you will know that they are clear when each hole has a steady equal size stream blasting out of it. To clear the mixture screw idle opening you may want to back the screw out a couple of turns to increase the opening size to flush out stubborn gunk. You will definately want to do this outside and maybe put on some glasses and not have any open spark or flames, as there will be carb cleaner everywhere. If the holes are really badly plugged you can use a wire brush bristle bent at a right angle to pierce thru the gunk in the holes but the cleaner should work pretty fast. You will also want to be sure that the idle jet orifice is clear wth the same bristle. This is a quick way to clear the most difficult passages without a soak tank, also you can verify that the passages are actually clear. Good luck. Tom.

[Jeff Tate]

I've done that and it works really well.

[argonsagas]

Good ideas, Tom.

For the brush bristle, instead of bending the wire, try pushing one end into a cork or into the eraser on a pencil. That will make it a bit easier to hold it and work with it...and it won't get lost

[Anonymous]

You can also use the same method backwards, by removing the Pilot air jet, covering the Idle jet hole with your finger and inserting the spray nozzle tip and spraying into the Pilot jet Hole. Just in case you can't remove the Idle jet for some reason, like a stripped jet screwdriver slot.