Cleaning the carbs 1: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Intake]]

~~The previous article showed everyone how to drain the carbs. That is a precursor to cleaning the carbs. Cleaning carbs is a Bit more involved than draining them.~~

There are 2 separate levels of carb cleaning. The first level is if you have carbs that do work, but you just think they're not the same as before/have lost some performance or smoothness (say, after a winter or other long rest period where the bike sat for awhile). If you just want to try and improve the function a little bit, then using Yamaha Carb Cleaner is suggested:

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[[Image:Brian_Carb_Clean_1.JPG|150px]]

A little back-story on why this stuff is recommended. In the 90's, Yamaha made the mistake of fueling up their bikes as they rolled off the line in Japan and before they were crated up for shipment. This means that the gas sat in tanks and carbs for many months while the bikes crossed oceans and continents, then sat in showrooms and warehouses. Pretty soon, Yamaha dealers were flooding their techs with the need to clean the carbs (or replace them because of EPA laws), and this was all warranty work that Yamaha was paying for. To stop this flood of spending, they set some of their rather excellent chemists to the task of developing a cleaner. Thankfully, they did it right (saving Yamaha millions of dollars) and affording the rest of the world with a carb cleaner that Actually works, without destroying the carb internals. It is the only chemical cleaner that really does Anything ~~noticable~~. Its main usefulness is for loosening the crud inside the carbs, making the later hand cleaning a lot easier.

A little back-story on why this stuff is recommended. In the 90's, Yamaha made the mistake of fueling up their bikes as they rolled off the line in Japan and before they were crated up for shipment. This means that the gas sat in tanks and carbs for many months while the bikes crossed oceans and continents, then sat in showrooms and warehouses. Pretty soon, Yamaha dealers were flooding their techs with the need to clean the carbs (or replace them because of EPA laws), and this was all warranty work that Yamaha was paying for. To stop this flood of spending, they set some of their rather excellent chemists to the task of developing a cleaner. Thankfully, they did it right (saving Yamaha millions of dollars) and affording the rest of the world with a carb cleaner that Actually works, without destroying the carb internals. It is the only chemical cleaner that really does Anything noticeable. Its main usefulness is for loosening the crud inside the carbs, making the later hand cleaning a lot easier.

Anyway, you drain the carb bowls of gas, close the drain screws and pour the mixture in. Use a small funnel:

Anyway, you [[Draining the carbs|drain the carb bowls]] of gas, close the drain screws and pour the mixture in. Use a small funnel:

[[Image:Brian_Carb_Clean_2.JPG|150px]] [[Image:Brian_Carb_Clean_3.JPG|150px]]

Then, if you follow the directions, you'd drain and try starting after an hour or two... or, just leave it to sit overnight (2nd part of the directions).

Then, if you follow the directions, you'd drain and try starting after an hour or two... or just leave it to sit overnight (2nd part of the directions).

*An aside from loudboys: A good alternative is called Berryman Chem Dip. It's absolutely the best carb cleaner on the planet. It comes in a gallon can; basically a paint can with an included basket to put the parts in and lower them into the can.

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[[Image:Brian_Carb_Clean_4.JPG|150px]]

On the far right is a ~~contain~~ of ~~Very Highly Recommended~~ parts cleaner by Next Dimension ~~(and~~ a small amount in the Ragu glass jar on the far left). Next to that is specific Carb Cleaner, by the same company. Spray cans of brake/parts cleaner work just fine as well. You DO need a spray can for this work. The last item, the open funnel/measuring cup, is the old Yamaha Carb Cleaner (notice that it went from clear to green... did its job).

On the far right is a container of parts cleaner by [[http://www.amrep.com/apg_product.aspx?ID=24 Next Dimension]]. There is also a small amount in the Ragu glass jar on the far left. Next Dimension is highly recommended. Next to that is specific Carb Cleaner, by the same company. Spray cans of brake/parts cleaner work just fine as well. You DO need a spray can for this work. The last item, the open funnel/measuring cup, is the old Yamaha Carb Cleaner (notice that it went from clear to green... did its job).

Next we have the tools...

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Intake]]
-The previous article showed everyone how to drain the carbs. That is a precursor to cleaning the carbs. Cleaning carbs is a Bit more involved than draining them.
 There are 2 separate levels of carb cleaning. The first level is if you have carbs that do work, but you just think they're not the same as before/have lost some performance or smoothness (say, after a winter or other long rest period where the bike sat for awhile). If you just want to try and improve the function a little bit, then using Yamaha Carb Cleaner is suggested:
@@ Line 6: / Line 5: @@
 [[Image:Brian_Carb_Clean_1.JPG|150px]]
-A little back-story on why this stuff is recommended. In the 90's, Yamaha made the mistake of fueling up their bikes as they rolled off the line in Japan and before they were crated up for shipment. This means that the gas sat in tanks and carbs for many months while the bikes crossed oceans and continents, then sat in showrooms and warehouses. Pretty soon, Yamaha dealers were flooding their techs with the need to clean the carbs (or replace them because of EPA laws), and this was all warranty work that Yamaha was paying for. To stop this flood of spending, they set some of their rather excellent chemists to the task of developing a cleaner. Thankfully, they did it right (saving Yamaha millions of dollars) and affording the rest of the world with a carb cleaner that Actually works, without destroying the carb internals. It is the only chemical cleaner that really does Anything noticable. Its main usefulness is for loosening the crud inside the carbs, making the later hand cleaning a lot easier.
+A little back-story on why this stuff is recommended. In the 90's, Yamaha made the mistake of fueling up their bikes as they rolled off the line in Japan and before they were crated up for shipment. This means that the gas sat in tanks and carbs for many months while the bikes crossed oceans and continents, then sat in showrooms and warehouses. Pretty soon, Yamaha dealers were flooding their techs with the need to clean the carbs (or replace them because of EPA laws), and this was all warranty work that Yamaha was paying for. To stop this flood of spending, they set some of their rather excellent chemists to the task of developing a cleaner. Thankfully, they did it right (saving Yamaha millions of dollars) and affording the rest of the world with a carb cleaner that Actually works, without destroying the carb internals. It is the only chemical cleaner that really does Anything noticeable. Its main usefulness is for loosening the crud inside the carbs, making the later hand cleaning a lot easier.
-Anyway, you drain the carb bowls of gas, close the drain screws and pour the mixture in. Use a small funnel:
+Anyway, you [[Draining the carbs|drain the carb bowls]] of gas, close the drain screws and pour the mixture in. Use a small funnel:
 [[Image:Brian_Carb_Clean_2.JPG|150px]]  [[Image:Brian_Carb_Clean_3.JPG|150px]]
-Then, if you follow the directions, you'd drain and try starting after an hour or two... or, just leave it to sit overnight (2nd part of the directions).
+Then, if you follow the directions, you'd drain and try starting after an hour or two... or just leave it to sit overnight (2nd part of the directions).
 *An aside from loudboys: A good alternative is called Berryman Chem Dip. It's absolutely the best carb cleaner on the planet. It comes in a gallon can; basically a paint can with an included basket to put the parts in and lower them into the can.
@@ Line 26: / Line 25: @@
 [[Image:Brian_Carb_Clean_4.JPG|150px]]
-On the far right is a contain of Very Highly Recommended parts cleaner by Next Dimension (and a small amount in the Ragu glass jar on the far left). Next to that is specific Carb Cleaner, by the same company. Spray cans of brake/parts cleaner work just fine as well. You DO need a spray can for this work. The last item, the open funnel/measuring cup, is the old Yamaha Carb Cleaner (notice that it went from clear to green... did its job).
+On the far right is a container of parts cleaner by [[http://www.amrep.com/apg_product.aspx?ID=24 Next Dimension]]. There is also a small amount in the Ragu glass jar on the far left. Next Dimension is highly recommended. Next to that is specific Carb Cleaner, by the same company. Spray cans of brake/parts cleaner work just fine as well. You DO need a spray can for this work. The last item, the open funnel/measuring cup, is the old Yamaha Carb Cleaner (notice that it went from clear to green... did its job).
 Next we have the tools...