Cleaning the Carburetor on Your Lawn Mower or Small Engine

A clogged carburetor can wreak havoc on a mower or small engine. If it sounds like your machine is struggling to idle, is lacking power or simply won’t start, cleaning the carburetor may be the answer to your problems.

Removal will vary depending on the model and type of engine, but once completed, the cleaning process is pretty much the same. First, you need to clean off the dirt and grime from around the idle assembly and the rest of the carburetor. Buildup in this area is often the cause of idling issues.

Once you have cleaned the exterior you are ready to take it apart and clean the inside. Using a socket wrench, remove the bolt holding the bowl on the carburetor. Be careful here, because some gas may pour out. Hold the assembly over a cup to prevent spilling all over your workspace. Once the bowl is removed, set it aside for later.

Remove Float Pin

Using needle nose pliers, remove the pin that holds the float and needle in place. Set this aside in the bowl, where it can be easily retrieved later. Remove the needle and float assembly and set them aside as well. Here is where you break out the carburetor cleaner.

Using short, half-second bursts of canned carburetor cleaner, spray each of the tiny holes on the inside of the chamber. Turn the carburetor body over and spray again through the bottom. Be sure to spray in through the jet as well. Do not, however, spray any cleaner into the hole the needle goes into because it will eat away at the area.

spray in through the jet as well. Do not, however, spray any cleaner into the hole the needle goes into because it will eat away at the area.

Using thin gauge wire (or a stripped down twist-tie, clear out any blockage or debris stuck in these holes and the jet. Use the wire to clear out the holes in the fixed jet as well. Once finished, use a compressor or compressed air to blast out any remaining grime. Be sure to wear eye protection, because carburetor fluid is not gentle on the eyes. Once completed, you are ready to reassemble. When you’ve reassembled the carburetor and put it back on the machine you should be good to go!

Cleaning out the carburetor on your small engine may seem daunting, but it is one of the easier bits of maintenance you can do. Improve the performance of your machine and extend its useful life by going through this process frequently. It’s like they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A little effort spent cleaning your carburetor regularly is worth it when compared to the price of a new motor. 

By: Kyson Crowell