How to Repair a Carburetor on a Boat
When a boat engine begins to fail a likely culprit is the carburetor. Gasoline is notoriously unstable and builds up until it nearly chokes the engine any time the throttle is applied. Fixing gummed up float bowls or clogged jets will save you a lot of money in maintenance and repair fees.
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Things You'll Need
- Old rag/towel
- Clean towel
- Screwdriver
- Carburetor rebuild kit for your make and model of engine or replacement parts for individual problems.
- Aerosol carburetor cleaner
- Air compressor (optional)
- Thin screwdriver or metal punch and hammer
- Rubber plugs
- Marine grade sealant
Instructions
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1
Place an old rag under the fuel line to catch any drips or spills. Detach all lines and remove carburetor. Remove the bolts that connect the carburetor to the manifold.
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2
Place carburetor in a vice grip. Remove the four screws (two on each side) on the top of the unit (the intake manifold) that block air intake to the jets. Also remove all the screws from the four corners of the manifold. Make sure your screwdriver is an exact match to the head size of the screws or it will damage the heads and could cause leaking problems.
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3
Remove the manifold of the carburetor and the old gasket seal from the opening. Set the top and all screws aside on a clean towel. Remove the float bowl. Check the inlet needle on the float valve and set on clean towel. Replace the needle if there are grooves on it. A groove on the inlet needle will decrease the level of fuel in any position. When buying a needle make sure you get the complete set with the seat. Bring your make, model and serial number with you to compare parts and make sure you get the right one.
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4
Check the float bowl for any liquid inside. Fuel in the bowl means it leaks and causes the needle to stay down and pour excess fuel in. Carburetor rebuild kids usually have a new float bowl included. If yours does not, or if you don't have a rebuild kit, buy a new float bowl.
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Attach the little red straw that comes with the aerosol carburetor cleaner and spray into the passages of the carburetor interior. Blow air through all of the chambers at about 20 psi of pressure to thoroughly clean out any debris. This step is necessary for a professional job that doesn't fail after just a few uses.
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If your carburetor has one or two rubber plugs, use a thin screwdriver or small punch and a hammer to wedge them out of the opening(s). Insert the straw of the carburetor cleaner and spray the innermost chambers otherwise missed by normal cleaning. Blow air from the air compressor, if you have one, through the tubes as well and then replace the plug with a new rubber stopper. Use a marine-grade sealant to ensure a complete seal. Drive the plug in as far as it will go.
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7
Reassemble the insides of the carburetor. When attaching the float make sure it is level with the base of the unit. Replace the manifold gasket with a new piece and replace the manifold on top of the carburetor. Make sure jet cover screws are tight. Loose screws introduce air into the jets and cause flow problems. Replace on engine.
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Tips & Warnings
Always work in a ventilated but draft-free area when using aerosol carburetor cleaners. Wear protective clothing and eyewear for this entire process.
