How to Rebuild a Motorboat Carburetor
The function of the carburetor in a motorboat is the same as it is in a car: to regulate the amount of fuel and air mixture that gets fed to the engine. A clean carburetor is vital to proper function and performance. Old, dirty fuel gets gummy and creates a slimy, thick residue that clogs the thin channels and holes of a carburetor and keeps it from feeding the engine properly. A dirty carburetor will cause the engine to die, sputter, or run-on after you turn off the key. As important as the carburetor is, it is a relatively simple piece of machinery, even in a motorboat, and is easily cleaned even for a beginning mechanic.
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Things You'll Need
- Vice grip
- Screwdriver
- Jar or dish
- Hole punch
- Hammer
- Wire cleaner
- Air compressor
- Carburetor rebuild kit
- Carburetor cleaner
Instructions
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1
Take the carburetor off the engine and place it in a vice grip to hold it firmly in place.
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2
Remove the four corner screws on the top of the carburetor along with the two screws on each side of the fuel intake jets. Lift the top section off of the carburetor and set it to the side. Place the screws in a jar or dish to keep them safe so you can reassemble the carburetor later.
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3
Remove the rubber gasket at the base of the manifold.
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4
Lift out the float, needle and spring. Check the float needle for bends or signs of wear. Replace with a new needle from the rebuild kit if there is any sign of wear or change of shape.
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5
Remove center screw on the inside of the carburetor to loosen the seat and set the screw in the jar or dish you are using to keep all of the carburetor's screws safe.
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6
Use the hole punch and hammer to tap the rubber plugs out of the inner channels in the carburetor. Pull the plugs out with the punch.
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7
Check the inner channels for any gummy residue and pick out as much as you can reach, or use a wire cleaner made for carburetor passages and jets to push any gunk out.
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8
Point the nozzle of the air compressor into the carburetor and spray all channels and holes with forced air to clear out any remaining debris.
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9
Attach the red straw (that comes with the can) to the aerosol spray carburetor cleaner and point directly into the holes and passages of the carburetor. Give each channel and hole a strong shot of cleaning fluid. Spray entire interior of the carburetor with cleaning fluid.
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10
Examine the carburetor body and make sure you can see into all of the holes and channels, and they are completely clean.
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11
Replace the plugs in the carburetor channel with new ones from the rebuild kit. Replace the seat and the screw at the center of the inner carburetor chamber. Tighten the screw with your screwdriver until it is hand-tight.
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12
Insert the float, float needle and spring. Check the level of the float bowl. Keep it level with the sides of the lower carburetor unit. Replace the gasket with a new one.
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13
Place the top on the carburetor and reinsert the four corner screws and the two screws on each side of the fuel jets. Tighten all screws firmly with a screwdriver.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear protective goggles when working around mechanical parts, or using aerosol spray carburetor cleaner.
Always work in an area with good ventilation when using spray aerosols. Try not to breathe in the carburetor cleaner spray. Wear a ventilator mask if possible.
References
- Photo Credit Charles Nesbit/Photodisc/Getty Images
