Motorcycle Carburetor Cleaning

Motorcycle Carburetor Cleaning

Cleaning your motorcycle is essential for a wide range of reasons. One of them is it is simple hygiene to use clean machines. It also improves the bike’s outward appearance of the bike. Of course, cleaning the bike’s body is integral. What many people do not know is that the inside parts should also be cleaned.

A motorcycle has various internal parts that should all be cleaned. Here we are going to discuss specifically on the carburetor. This topic can be a bit tricky or most people, especially newbies. The reason is that one requires proper knowledge of the matter. That is why we are going to explain everything here in key details.

What is a Carburetor-Where, is it Located?

The carburetor is an integral part of every motorcycle. It is a highly sensitive precision gadget that is located between the airbox and engine. Its role is to blend air and fuel in the right proper portions. The result of this mixing process is what causes internal combustion in the engine.

That is just a slight overview of the combustion process through the carburetor. Let us break done step by step how the motorcycle carburetor makes all of this happen. Here is how a motorcycle carburetor works.

For you to understand how it works, you need to have in mind that there are various types of carburetors. In this explanation, we are going to look at the one of the simplest forms. We are going to use the one that features a vertically placed air pipe. On one side, it has a horizontal oiled joined onto it.

The air usually flows down the vertical pipe when the bike is in use.  As it flows downwards, it passes through a space called a venturi. A venturi is a narrow kink-like section that is responsible for speeding up the air. As the airspeed is increased, the pressure falls.  A decrease in pressure causes air to be drawn into the fuel pipe (the pipe on the side).

As the fuel joins the main pipe, the choke and throttle come into play.  These are valves located close to the venturi.  The choke is located at the top while the throttle is placed below the venturi. The choke is the valve responsible for regulating the amount of airflow. The choke is usually closed when more fuel is needed in the carburetor. This then makes the air flow down the pipe causing the venture to suck in more fuel, which is what is needed.

The throttle, on the other hand, regulates the flow of air and supply of fuel from the side. In the event that it is fully open, both of these components will flow in freely. As they increase, more power is generated, thereby leading to increased bike speeds. Basically, it is the throttle that is responsible for making a bike accelerate.

One thing we have forgotten to go into detail into is the fuel pipe (the pipe on the side). In most cases, you will find a float feed chamber. This a “somewhat” mini fuel tank with a valve and float. The device is usually attached to the fuel pipe. It is the chamber that feeds fuel to the carburetor. When this happens, the fuel level decreases, and the float goes down with the fuel level. If the float reaches a certain level, the valve in this tank is opened. This is what causes the fuel from the main tank to go inside this chamber. When it is full, then float rises, and the valve is closed. The process then continues from there.

Why You Need to Clean the Carburetor on Motorcycle

Here are some benefits of cleaning your motorcycle carburetor.

1. Greater Fuel Efficiency

For every motorcycle to move from one place to another, combustion needs to take place. One of the crucial facilitators of this is fuel. Basically, fuel needs to move from the gas tank to the engine. In the event that there are unwanted substances like grease and sludge, fuel will not get into the tank.

Even if the fuel does reach the engine, it will not be in the right quantity. This is what then leads to lower fuel efficiency and thereby translates to a lot of wastage. That is why you need to clean the carburetor frequently to get rid of such items. In the process, you will improve the bike’s fuel efficiency.

2. The Engine and Motorcycle Function Better

One of the things that can make your bike function properly and run smoothly is a clean carburetor. If you have never cleaned it, try it today, and you will notice the great difference in your rides. With a doubt, they will be better than any other rides you have been on.

3. The Motorcycle’s Acceleration is Improved

There are instances where you may find trouble accelerating your bike. One of the reasons that can because this is the presence of dirt blocking the fuel pipe. This then results in less fuel reaching the engine. If the carburetor is properly cleaned, the fuel pipe is unclogged. As a result, the bike’s acceleration is improved greatly.

4. Quick Starting of the Engine

The carburetor’s functioning depends on how the air and fuel flow towards each other. When you have a dirty carburetor, this flow would be affected negatively. That is why it is important to clean your carburetor to allow for the smooth flow of these components. As a result, your engine will always be starting very quickly.

How Often Should You Clean the Carburetor on Motorcycle?

There is no problem with cleaning your carburetor is almost as much as you clean the body of your bike. It will just go a long in improving its functionality. All in all, the best time to clean your carburetor would be after every six months. This will make sure that every dirt and unwanted substance that may have build-up is cleared out. It is through this that you will reap the full benefits of riding on a clean carburetor.

How Do You Know Motorcycle Carburetor Needs Cleaning

Here are some signs that indicate your motorcycle’s carburetor needs cleaning.

1. Problems in Starting the Engine

When your bike is cranking is not starting, the carburetor is probably unclean. This is so because a dirty carburetor limits the flow of air and fuel, as earlier stated. As a result, you will feel a turnover and no actual start.

2. Overflow of Fuel

If there is too much dirt in the fuel now the valve that controls fuel entry is prevented from closing. As a result, there is overflow of fuel into the carburetor. This then causes the air-to-fuel ratio to be completely messed up. This is what wets the spark plugs. If this happens, it is time to get your carburetor cleaned.

3. It is running rich

When your bike is releasing a lot of dark smoke, your carburetor is most likely dirty. Typically, you will find that there is an excess flow of fuel in the engine and not enough air. This is a clear signal to have your carburetor cleaned.

4. It is running lean

When an engine is running lean, it means that it that there too much air in the carburetor and not enough fuel. This then causes popping sounds to be produced in the intake. In the event of such, it is good to have your carburetor cleaned.

Can You Use WD40 to Clean Motorcycle Carburetor

“WD-49” is an abbreviation that means Water Displacement, 40^th Formula. The WD-40 cleaner is an aerosol spray that can be used to effectively clean a motorcycle’s carburetor. It usually contains a solvent formula that breaks away any tough carbon contaminants. This way, you will be left with a sparkling clean carburetor.

Can You Use Break Cleaner to Clean a Motorcycle Carburetor?

A break cleaner is a pressurized spray used to clear away dirt on the brake and clutch assemblies. It goes this by dissolving these unwanted substances. Most of the time, you will find that they leave no residue at all.

So the question is, can you use it to clean a motorcycle carburetor? The answer to this question yes. Basically, it is okay or you to use brake cleaner to clean a motorcycle carburetor. Make sure that you avoid using the non-chlorinated brake cleaner. It is known to leave a very bad residue on the carburetor. Furthermore it is not a great cleaning substance as compared to the others.

Conclusion

Having to go through bike issues due to a dirty carburetor can really be frustrating. You may find that the bike is not starting properly. In other cases, you find that the bike is not functioning properly. Or maybe there is an overflow of fuel in the carburetor. All of these issues and many others can be avoided by cleaning your carburetor frequently. In most instances, it should but go past six months before cleaning the carburetor. Both the WD40 cleaner and brake clear are great for cleaning the bike carburetor. However, before doing anything, read the instructions carefully. You can also ask a person with knowledge on the matter to help you out.