Shooting carb cleaner into the carb of a small engine

[steppinthrax]

When the carburetor gets gunked up on these small engines the general thing has always been to tear the carb down and use carburetor cleaner to clean the carb. In doing so you will most likely have to get a new carb kit since the diaphragms/seals can't be reused.

I had a similar thing happen to my riding lawnmower over the weekend. The carb overhaul kit was 43 bucks!!! I removed the air filter and with the engine running started to spray carb cleaner into the air intake. I sprayed brief shots so the engine doesn't shut off. I noticed afterwards the engine ran a lot better and wasn't sluggish as before....

So my question is if this is OK to do?

 

[tortoise]

On a 4-stroke engine, adding a small amount of fuel additive to the gas tank, such as Techron concentrate, would probably be the easiest strategy. Spraying carb cleaner into the air intake bypasses the internal fuel passageways. Spraying carb cleaner into the carb bowl vent (to atmosphere) should be more effective.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

In moderation it's ok but not really going to solve the problem for long. Look for a gas station that sells fuel without ethanol in it.

 

[pauldun170]

I'm a horrible person.
I've torn down carbs for cleaning and reused everything.
Motorcycles, lawn mowers, snow blowers...

 

[bamx2]

Usually works for me to. Sometime the diaphrams are bad anyway (from the etanol in gas) like on the B&S pulsajet (sp? ) .

I'm a horrible person.
I've torn down carbs for cleaning and reused everything.
Motorcycles, lawn mowers, snow blowers...

 

[steppinthrax]

Usually the carb isn't bad, but once you take it apart you tear paper gaskets and parts can't be reused.