How to Clean a Carburetor on a Lawn Mower Without Removing It
A lawn mower’s carburetor should be checked on a regular basis as it is so prone to lawn debris clogging in the air filters. It is possible to clean a carburetor without removing it from the mower.
If the carburetor is not in good working condition then the entire machine is affected since mixing of air and fuel in the mower’s engine cannot be effective at all. You may have noticed that the lawn mower tends to perform poorly if some of the parts of the mower are not in good condition.
How to Clean Your Carburetor?
However, the cleaning should not only be done when the lawn fails but rather on a frequent basis when the mower is been cleaned. Cleaning the carburetor will not only boost the fuel efficiency but also increase the mower’s lifespan.
If you need to clean your carburetor, we will take you through this comprehensive guide to help you understand some simple steps on how to go about it even without removing the carburetor from the lawn mower. Below are simple ways on how to clean a lawn mower carburetor.
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How to Clean a Lawn Mower Carburetor (Step By Step Guide)
Car enthusiasts and mechanics aren’t the only ones to clean their carburetors. It’s actually something that many lawn mower owners do on a regular basis. Now, if it’s not something you have done before, then you’re probably a bit worried that you might do more harm than good. But if you take your time and follow my guide, you’ll be able to add small engine mechanic to your list of skills. The best part is that your lawn mower will run better than ever. So, let’s dive in and go over how to clean your lawn mower’s carburetor.
Cleaning a Lawn Mower Carburetor (The Short Explanation)
There are a few necessary steps to clean a lawn mower carburetor thoroughly. This includes removing, dismantling, cleaning, replacing damaged parts, then rebuilding the carburetor. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow if you want to carry out a comprehensive carburetor cleaning.
The signs of a bad carburetor are pretty easy to spot once you know what to look out for. If you’re having some trouble with your lawn mower, then you’re probably familiar with some of the symptoms already. If you’re not too sure what the signs are, here’s a list of what I believe are the most common issues.
What You’ll Need On Hand to Clean Your Mower’s Carburetor
Before you head out to your lawn mower, you need to gather some tools and a few bits and pieces. Here’s a list of all the materials you’ll need.
How to Clean a Lawn Mower Carburetor (A Simple Guide)
There are a whole bunch of carburetors available for lawn mowers and each requires a slightly different method of cleaning. But generally, the steps stay the same. So, let’s have a look at what you’ll need to do.
Lawn Mower Cleaning
The first step is to clean off the outside of the carburetor. I find that WD-40 and a small nylon brush, like a toothbrush, work best. Anything more aggressive than nylon could damage the soft alloy metal of the carburetor.
You want to make sure to get all the clippings and dirt off the outside of the carb so that nothing falls into the engine when you remove the carburetor.
Removing the Carburetor
Start by removing the cover of the air cleaner and pulling out the air filter. You might need to use a screwdriver to remove the cover. Once you get both items removed, set them aside for later.
The next step is to remove the air cleaner base. This is the back of the air cleaner that the filter sits inside. So take your socket wrench and remove the bolts that hold the base to the carburetor. Again, set these parts to one side for later.
Now, it’s time for the fuel line. If your lawn mower has a cut-off valve, then switch it off. This will stop fuel from leaking from the fuel tank. If your lawn mower doesn’t have a valve, then a pair of fuel line pinch-off pliers will work fine.
Next, take a pair of pliers and remove the fuel line clamp. You’ll just need to move the clamp an inch or two down the fuel line. Once you have the clamp moved, slide off the fuel line. I find that giving it a twist at the same time as pulling helps to get the line off.
Now it’s time to disconnect the carburetor from the engine. So, take your socket wrench and remove the bolts holding the carburetor to the engine. Once you remove these bolts, the carburetor should come free of the engine, so be careful it doesn’t fall.
The throttle link cable is the final thing holding the carb to the mower. You can easily remove this link by using your pliers. Once you get the link off, you should be able to pull the carb completely away from the mower.
Dismantling the Carburetor
Now that you have the carburetor free, I suggest moving to a workbench or table with some good lighting and a bit of ventilation.
So, tip the carburetor upside down and locate the fuel cup’s center bolt. Use your socket wrench to remove the bolt, then remove the fuel cup from the carburetor.
Then take your needle nose pliers and remove the pin holding the float in place. Once the pin is removed, the float should come away from the carburetor.
Now it’s time for the jet. If you look where the cup bolt screws into the carburetor, you’ll find a screw. Use one of your screwdrivers and remove the bolt, being careful that the jet doesn’t fall out as this screw is holding it in place. Next, tip the carb into your hand so that you can catch the jet. It should fall out, but it might need a bit of help.
Cleaning the Carburetor
Now that you have the carburetor stripped down, it’s time to run through how to clean a lawn mower carburetor. So, grab your carburetor spray cleaner and give the whole carb a good spray. Allow the spray to soak into all the dirt and grime. Carb cleaners also act as a degreaser, so they will take care of the grease and oils on the outside.
Next, use your brush and cleaning cloth to remove all the dirt from the carburetor. Once this is done, you can take a look at the carburetor ports. These are the internal holes/passages within the carburetor. The ports are usually about the same size as the straw attachment of the cleaner. So, place the carb cleaner into the ports and give them a quick spray. The force of the spray normally shoots out any dirt.
The next step is to clean all the small parts you removed from the carburetor. Again, give them a good clean with the brush and the carburetor cleaner. Then, use your small wire and clear out any blockage in the jet. This is the main area that causes problems with the carburetor, so be sure to get the jet completely clear.
Optional Stage – I mentioned a carburetor repair parts kit in the list above. This kit you can get for your carburetor includes items like washers, o-rings, and gaskets. With this kit, you can replace all the perishable parts of the carburetor and thoroughly clean your carb. So if you decide to use a repair kit, be sure to remove the old parts from the carburetor.
Rebuilding the Carburetor
Now that you have the carburetor all cleaned up, it’s time to put it back together. As long as you install all of the parts you removed. So, to rebuild the carburetor, follow the list below in order.
Riding Lawn Mower Carburetor Cleaning vs Push Mower: Is There a Difference?
The method of cleaning a carburetor doesn’t really change between a walk-behind lawn mower to a riding mowing. If anything, I’ve found cleaning a riding lawn mower’s carburetor a bit easier because they tend to have better access to it. I don’t have to kneel on the floor like I do when working on a walk behind because it is so low to the ground. Once I finish my homemade mower table, this won’t be a problem anymore. So, if you’re able to elevate your push mower, then I would say cleaning the carburetor on a riding lawn mower is the same as cleaning a push mower’s carburetor.
I’ll be the first to put my hand up for a simpler way to clean a carb, but not if it’s less effective. Cleaning a lawn mower carburetor without removing it is an option you can use to clean out any fuel gum residue from bad fuel.
You’ll find that this method solves a lot of the problems associated with a bad carb, like getting rid of a sticking float or a restricted jet. But if you struggle with access to the carburetor or blocked carb ports, I’d recommend removing the carburetor completely. Products like carburetor spray cleaners do a good job, but not when it comes to a chunk of grass in the jet. If you try the spray cleaner, but it doesn’t fully solve the issue, you will probably get better results by removing the carburetor and cleaning it thoroughly.
About Tom Greene
I’ve always had a keen interest in lawn care as long as I can remember. Friends used to call me the “lawn mower guru” (hence the site name), but I’m anything but. I just enjoy cutting my lawn and spending time outdoors. I also love the well-deserved doughnuts and coffee afterward!
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How to Clean Lawn Mower Carburetors | Step by Step Guides
A lawn mower carburetor is one of the essential parts of your lawn mower. Without this part, your lawn mower’s engine can not function well, and lawn mowing is impossible. When you cut your lawn, some debris is likely to get in the carburetor. This debris will do more harm than good to the functioning of your mower.
Therefore it’s essential to know how to clean the lawn mower carburetor if you want your lawn mower to perform well. Lawn maintenance shouldn’t be a hassle. Just make sure to keep your lawn mower in good shape by cleaning your carburetor regularly. You will be guaranteed a great lawn mowing experience. In this article, I take you to step by step guide on how to clean lawn mower carburetors, so read on.
Steps to follow when cleaning lawn mower carburetor
It’s essential to get the mower’s engine to cool off before you start cleaning the carburetor. It’s not safe to clean a carburetor when the engine is hot. If you are in hurry to get the cleaning done, you would rather do it on a day that you have plenty of time. Remember, safety first.
Depending on the lawn mower model you have, you can detach the carburetor from the mower engine before you start cleaning. You should also remove the different covers on the lawn mower carburetor, including the cover of the air filter. This will make your cleaning task easy.
Detach the fuel tank from the carburetor
You might have riding lawn mower, push mower or walk behind lawn mower. Among these different types of lawn mower which one you have, that’s no matter. It’s wise to detach the fuel tank from the carburetor before you start your cleaning task. It’s difficult, though, to do this without getting to spill some fuel. However, the process is worth it as it will make your cleaning success.
If you clean without removing the fuel tank, chances are your cleaning material or some debris you will be removing may get in contact with the fuel. This may cause problems with the fuel, and you will have difficulties with your lawnmower.
Toro Craftsman Carburetor Dimension
Disassemble the lawnmower carburetor
The lawnmower carburetor is made of many different parts. Disassembling these many parts can seem pretty inconvenient. However, if you want your cleaning to be thorough and effective, you should disassemble these parts.
This will make your cleaning easy. If you disassemble the parts, they will be exposed, and whatever you are using to clean the carburetor will reach the parts. You don’t want to leave any of stone unturned when you’re cleaning the carburetor.
Check connections
Checking connections around your lawn mower can come in handy if you want to diagnose your lawnmower issues. If dirt gets in contact with the connections, it can become sticky and cause carburetor problems. Clean these connections when necessary, making sure that no dirt remains.
It’s not just the dirt on connections that can cause lawn mower problems. Also, check out for loose screws and tighten them. Loose connections can cause your mower to misbehave. The good thing is that you can always check for loose connections to ensure your mower’s peak performance.
Remove debris from the air filter
One of the most pivotal steps you’ll need to take when cleaning the lawn mower carburetor is removing debris from the air filter. This is important as it will encourage airflow within the mower and cause it to function well. Removing debris from the air filter will also help curb black smoke being released from the exhaust. This, in turn, can prevent air pollution and make lawn mower maintenance a pleasant task for you.
Now that you’ve done the steps as mentioned above, it’s now time to grab your carburetor cleaner. There are many carburetor cleaners on the market that you can use. However, you can use a dedicated cleaner in the form of a spray for an easy experience. Make sure to reach all areas, including surfaces of your carburetor. Clean thoroughly, making sure to remove all the dirt from the carburetor.
Kohler Carburetor Cleaning at Anna Owens blog
Kohler Carburetor Cleaning. Now, turn off the lawnmower power and remove the spark plug from the mower. Web feb 2, 2023it’s a common fault.
Now, turn off the lawnmower power and remove the spark plug from the mower. Carburetor for toro recycling 20370 ,149cc,model lawn mower kohler motor. Web add the new gasket to the bowl nut.
Sears Craftsman Lawn Mower Kohler Courage Engine Cleaning Carburetor
Wire all the larger parts together and drop them into a bucket of carburetor cleaner. If your generator carburetor had a solenoid, replace it. Web it is held on by a screw. Clean around the outside of your carburetor bowl to remove dirt before removing the bowl.
Kohler Carburetor Cleaning. Cleaning the carb will fix it. Web add the new gasket to the bowl nut. Kohler Carburetor Cleaning.
Kohler Carburetor Cleaning. Toro kohler 149cc carburetor cleaning. Place the throttle into slow or idle mode. Kohler Carburetor Cleaning.
Kohler Carburetor Cleaning. Clean around the outside of your carburetor bowl to remove dirt before removing the bowl. Web apr 26, 2022to remove a carburetor from a kohler engine, follow these steps. Kohler Carburetor Cleaning.
Kohler Carburetor Cleaning. Web add the new gasket to the bowl nut. Web feb 2, 2023it’s a common fault. Kohler Carburetor Cleaning.
Kohler Carburetor Cleaning. Web @joekohler, joe, remove carburetor and disassemble using rags, carb cleaner, fine copper wire strand, and compressed air, clean carb with carb cleaner out side first then. Many of these cleaning solutions work extremely well for cleaning your home generator carburetor and may solve your problem for just a few dollars. Kohler Carburetor Cleaning.
Kohler Carburetor Cleaning. Then, wrap the small parts in a piece of aluminum screen. The float is the bottom part of carburetor and is the first thing taken apart when cleaning the carb. Kohler Carburetor Cleaning.
Carburetor Location in Walk-Behind Mowers
For walk-behind mowers, you will find the carburetor at the side of the mower, in the area above the base of the mower. As we mention later, the carburetor is connected to the air intake and air filter of the mower. Therefore, finding these components makes it easy to find the carburetor.
If you’re having trouble finding them, search for square-shaped or round-shaped filter housing. This will generally be on the side of the mower’s engine, though it’s sometimes on the top.
The air filter case is usually plastic and pops open easily to provide easy access to the filter for maintenance. The mower’s carburetor is just behind the air filter’s housing, and there are typically 2-3 bolts that can be loosened to remove the filter housing and reveal the carb.
This video does a nice job demonstrating the removal and cleaning of the carburetor on a walk-behind mower:
The exact process for repairing or replacing a carburetor in a riding mower will depend on your exact model, and it tends to be more complicated than working with the carburetor of a walk-behind mower, so you may choose to hire a professional at a small engine repair shop to do this for you.
If you are going to do a carb repair or replacement yourself, my advice is to consult the manual that came with your machine, and document every step of the process so that you can remember how the carb was set up and have an easier time re-attaching everything properly.
Here’s a video from Sears that walks you through replacing the carburetor on a Craftsman Mower. It provides a good sense of what’s involved in this project, what your riding mower’s carburetor looks like, and where the carb is located on some riding mowers:
Why is it Important to Clean Your Lawn Mower’s Carburetor?
The carburetor of your lawn mower needs to be kept clean in order for the machine to work as it should.
Think of the carburetor in a car. If it isn’t kept clean and properly maintained, your vehicle will not run properly.
This is the same with a small engine such the kind you have in a lawn mower.
If you are having certain problems with your mower, there is a good chance that you need to clean the carburetor. Below are some signs of a dirty carburetor:
How to Clean a Mower Carburetor Once You Locate It
Let’s take a look at how to clean a lawn mower carburetor.
Please note that these are general instructions and you should consult with the instructions that come with your particular mower before you proceed.
Removing the Carburetor
What if the Carburetor Needs Repairs?
It is possible that your carburetor will need repair as well as cleaning. If that is the case, you can consider buying a carburetor repair kit. This will help you with replacing some of the major components of the carburetor, such as the diaphragms, gaskets, float, and float needles. You can probably find a kit that matches your mower on Amazon for less than 20.
If you find that the carburetor continues to have poor performance, it’s possible that you will have to get a new carburetor and replace the old one. The price of a replacement carburetor will typically be about 50, and you can find genuine manufacturer’s carb replacements on Amazon (like this one for a Honda self-propelled mower).
If you’re sure your lawn mower issues are the result of carburetor problems, it’s generally easier to buy a new carb and replacing the whole thing vs attempting to repair a few gaskets or parts.
In my experience a repair kit works better in theory than in practice, and your average weekend warrior is better off replacing the whole thing if determined to DIY a fix. For 30 more, why not install a brand new carb?
The other option (recommended for most people) is to take your mower to a small engine repair shop and let them do the work for you. This is less expensive than you’d think, and will save you some time and headaches.
For optimal lawn mower maintenance, you should clean the carburetor every year.
This will help your mower always perform at the optimal level and help to hold off problems that will require parts replacement or full replacement of the carburetor.
And you don’t have to take your carb out to keep it running like new – I give my mower a shot of Gumout Carb and Choke Cleaner (Amazon link) before every mow to keep it running like new. It’s like 5 a can and lasts a whole season.
Maintain Your Lawn Mower So It Lasts!
Understanding how your lawn mower works and how to maintain it is key to making it last.
Purchasing a new lawn mower is an investment, so it’s well worth taking the time to read the manual and understand all the components and their functions.