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I'm going to clean the outside of my qjet from my 77 before I install it back on the intake.
I have taped off the top of the carb and all the little vacuum pipes (+fuel inlet).
Am I OK to proceed or are there other things to take car off, or to bare in mind?
Do I have all the lines taped off? (don't remember how many lines there were)
I'm gonna use this carb cleaner from Valvoline (see picture).
I think you should be fine.
Use the spray and an old tooth brush and get into all the spots.
If your really adventurous you could pull it completely apart clean inside and out - but if its running fine probably can wait for another time.
Cant tell from the pictures but you may want to tape over any breather tube coming upwards on the top.
Not sure about later quads but early ones have open breathers
Looks good to me. I think I would spray the top and bottom also. Hold the carb up and spray from beneath so that it drips out instead of dripping inside.
The can says leaves no residue, but other brands of carb cleaners that I've used will leave a oily film. A can of brake cleaner will take care of that.
Looks like it. Worth covering them up as well if they are open to the inside of the carb before you start spraying cleaner around.
OK I sprayed my first (and last can) of carb cleaner. There are still spots that are really dirty...
Can I use brake cleaner for the rest? Is it safe and won't the brake cleaner damage the gasket that seals the top part of the carb?
As I said I only will clea the outside (no inside spraying at all).
You should really crack it open and inspect it. The gaskets and kit are cheap, cheap........
Jebby
Yes, I would do that, but I live in Europe and buying parts for a Rochester carb is expensive. (shipping + import)
In time I will have retune and restore the qjet completely, but for now I want to get my engine started first (installed a new intake + headers).
I will be in the US for two weeks (Georgia, Warrenton) upcomming spring vacation.
Can I use brake cleaner on the outside of the carb and not damage (dry out) the top gasket (sandwished between the two metal parts of the carb.
Last edited by Novusuhu; Sep 23, 2019 at 10:18 AM.
I wouldn't worry about getting any cleaner inside the carb. After all, it is carb cleaner. I've sprayed mine down on the car with the motor running at fast idle.
Yes, I would do that, but I live in Europe and buying parts for a Rochester carb is expensive. (shipping + import)
In time I will have retune and restore the qjet completely, but for now I want to get my engine started first (installed a new intake + headers).
I will be in the US for two weeks (Georgia, Warrenton) upcomming spring vacation.
Can I use brake cleaner on the outside of the carb and not damage (dry out) the top gasket (sandwished between the two metal parts of the carb.
Hey Novushu,
Bring an extra / empty suitcase. You will be about an hour from Summit Racing. All the parts you will ever need.
spray cleaner will not remove that crusted up stuff.. toothbrush and some flitz paste polish will..or choose your non rubber destroying detergent.. hell simple green and toothbrush, Lysol, dawn..don't go nuts with liquids. once air cleaner on will cover most anyway as this is for looks?
From the "look" of that carb, it's past due for a rebuild. The accelerator pump appears to have been leaking quite a bit. Does it work properly?
Anyway, either of those spray cleaners will make it "look" better. Post some after photos.
I don't know if there is a leak... I don't even know what the accelerator pump does...
As I said in previous posts: I don't have any experience with carbs.
Will post a picture when it's cleaned.
Last edited by Novusuhu; Sep 24, 2019 at 10:19 AM.
When cleaning a carb that looks like this and you want it looking like new, I use oven cleaner from the dollar stores. You can pay $6 or more at the grocery store, but the same stuff is at the discount stores for just a buck.
The secrete ingredient that works - Lye soap. The cheap cheap stuff doesn’t have any.
I wouldn't worry about getting any cleaner inside the carb. After all, it is carb cleaner. I've sprayed mine down on the car with the motor running at fast idle.
I have to agree. Excepting choke and throttle linkage gunk on the outside of the carb doesn't hurt anything except your eyes It's the varnish and gunk inside that causes problems.
With nothing* but LOTS of rags, a small brass brush and some pointy but dull plastic "tools" (I trimmed down plastic knives) wrapped around old microfiber and quite a few cans of carburetor/choke cleaner the original Q-jet on my '79 is working like new. Quite a lot of that was sprayed directly into the intakes with the engine at high idle.
I agree that it looks like the accelerator pump has been leaking for a long time. It and the entire carburetor may be overdue for a rebuild.
*I don't know if you can get it in your country but Seafoam is an excellent product. Try to find some and use it in a tank or three of fuel. Also works inside the engine when you add with oil. While some may say it does little or nothing I have to disagree and I've never heard or read any claim that it harms an engine in any way.
Carburetor cleaning
It's the varnish and gunk inside that causes problems.