How to Clean a Mikuni Carburetor
A carburetor is a mechanical device that combines air and fuel in an internal combustion engine. The carburetor controls the flow of air into an engine. The speed of the air entering the engine determines the amount of air pressure in the engine. The air pressure impacts the amount of fuel being drawn into the jet stream and ultimately entering the engine. A Mikuni carburetor is a major line of carburetors that is used primarily in motorcycles and Japanese cars, including some Toyota and Honda models. Periodically, to maintain performance standards, the carburetor should be cleaned.
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Things You'll Need
- Mikuni carburetor air filter
- Flathead screwdriver
- Oil can
- Wire scrub brush
- 8-inch steel swivel screw
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Dry cloth
- 6-inch steel bolt
Instructions
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1
Remove the air filter from the top of the carburetor. If the filter is corroded, pry it loose with the flathead screwdriver.
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2
Scrub the area around the filter with the wire brush. Pop the new air filter into place.
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3
Unscrew the choke valve using the Phillips-head screwdriver and remove the old screw.
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4
Oil the choke valve in the area around the screw with the oil can and re-fasten the choke valve to the inside of the carburetor using the new swivel screw. Tap the choke valve a few times to make sure that it rotates freely.
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5
Open the fuel delivery compartment and remove the metering rod using the adjustable wrench. Discard the old bolt that was used to attach the metering rod to the mechanical linkage.
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6
Clean the metering rod thoroughly using the dry cloth to remove oil and other residue. If necessary, apply some WD-40 or baking soda to loosen the residue.
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7
Oil the mechanical linkage that attaches to the top of the metering rod. Make sure that the mechanical linkage moves freely by tapping it a few times.
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8
Reattach the top of the metering rod to the mechanical linkage using the new 6-inch steel bolt and the adjustable wrench.
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9
Unscrew the float valve using the adjustable wrench. Check the attachment area for corrosion. You may be able to clean the attachment area using the dry cloth, but if there is too much corrosion the float valve will need to be replaced.
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10
Scrub the inside of the fuel nozzle with the wire brush to ensure that the nozzle's pathway to the air intake area is clear. Also scrub the inside of the float chamber using the wire brush. Re-attach the float valve to the inside of the float chamber using the adjustable wrench.
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Tips & Warnings
You can order replacement parts for a Mikuni carburetor from an automotive supplier or directly from the company. If the dry cloth does not remove the corrosion on the various pieces, you may want to spray the pieces with WD-40 or coat them in baking soda.
Always wear appropriate clothing when working with cars and motorcycles. Long pants, gloves, close-toed shoes, and eye protection should be worn at all times.
