How to Troubleshoot a Moped Carburetor

Carburetors on old mopeds can become clogged with sediment.

The carburetor on your moped regulates the fuel and air mixture going to the motor, ensuring it runs smoothly and idles at the correct level. Many mopeds are from the 1970s and early1980s, still able to be driven due to the small amount of miles typically on the motor. The downside is that sediment from the gas tank can enter the carburetor, causing the moped to sputter, stall or not start at all. The only way to troubleshoot a moped carburetor is to thoroughly clean it. Fortunately, the carburetor is simple enough for someone without much mechanical experience to disassemble.

Things You'll Need

• Ratchet set
• Flat head screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Clean towel
• Clean rag
• Carburetor cleaner spray
• Metal pan
• Breathing mask
• Gloves (non-plastic)

Instructions

1. Remove the carburetor. It will be different for each moped, but not much. It is attached to the front of the motor, usually with a bolt. Locate the correct bolt size from your ratchet, loosen the bolt and remove it. Twist and pull the carburetor at the same time to remove it from the motor.

2. Place the carburetor on the clean towel. Loosen the screws holding it together using a flat head or Philips screwdriver. Place the screws in the metal pan. Pull the halves of the carburetor apart and set them on the towel with the inside facing up.

3. Remove the jet on the inside of the carburetor using the flathead screwdriver and set it in the metal pan. The jet looks like a small bronze screw with a little hole through it.

4. Put on the breathing mask and gloves. Spray the inside of the carburetor chamber with the cleaner spray, soaking every part of it. Thoroughly wipe out the inside of the carburetor chambers using the clean rag. Repeat this step until all the dirt and grime are gone.

5. Insert the small straw that comes with the cleaner spray into its nozzle, place it over the hole in the jet you removed and spray it until a strong stream passes all the way through the jet. Reassemble the carburetor and reattach it to your moped.

References

• Moped Army: Fred's Guide on How to Fix Your Moped

Resources

• Mopeds.com