How to Clean Carburetor on Pressure Washer

A dirty carburetor reduced engine performance, overheating, and even backfiring. Cleaning a carburetor is relatively easy if you have a pressure washer at hand. So, how do you clean the carburetor on a pressure washer, you ask?

Using a pressure washer saves time, boosts curb appeal, and keeps your family safe. Additionally, you don’t need extra energy, elbow grease, or any previous experience. Goody-goody.

Today we will show you how to clean carburetor on pressure washer with a mere pressure washer. Now you don’t have to rush to the shop, just to make up for the time. Let’s begin.

Here we will cover,

Signs of a dirty carburetor
Things you will need for the cleaning process
Cleaning procedure
Some FAQs

How to Clean Carburetor on Pressure Washer

Some signs and symptoms of a dirty carburetor

A carburetor is the heart of an engine. Maintaining an efficient engine takes a little effort from your side. Here are some of the signs of a dirty and clogged-up carburetor.

Engine won’t start

No matter how much you try, the engine just doesn’t have the kick to start. Additionally, engine turn-overs, cranks, etc., are a common sign. The dirt-filled carburetor doesn’t let air and fuel circulate to the engine, and you end up with a day of misery.

Sound pollution

A clogged-up carburetor can make tons of sounds, but popping and sneezing are the most common. The air and fuel combo inside the engine faces restrictions, which causes the popping sound.

Black smoke

Sometimes black smoke can indicate the presence of dirt inside the combustion chamber. Initially, the smoke may turn grayish or black, depending on the amount of dirt. If cleaning the carburetor with a pressure washer doesn’t help, search for professional help.

Engine running lean

Generally speaking, the air to fuel ratio is 12:1 or 15:1. However, too much dirt can ruin the flow Of fuel to the engine and cause an imbalance. Your driving experience won’t be the same after that.

Running rich

If there is a shortage of air and the engine consumes more oil, then you are a victim of running rich. Turns out, black smoke will come out from the exhaust. To avoid this problem, a proper ratio of air to fuel is a must.

Oil leakage

Sometimes dirt or debris gets so out of hand, and it literally blocks the needle valve. As a result, fuel overflows and causes oil leakage from the carburetor. This is dangerous because the throw of fuel can get the spark plug wet, giving you heartburn.

Cleaning the carburetor on the pressure washer

Before you dive into the cleaning process, you need to have some instruments at hand. Without them, you can’t even open the engine, let alone cleaning with the pressure washer.

Things you will need

Here are the following things you will need while cleaning the carburetor on the pressure:

Pressure washer Nozzle

The pressure washer nozzle ranges from 0 to 40 degrees, depending on the water pressure you require. The lower the settings, the more the pressure of water. If your dirt problem is severe, or you have an old carburetor, try lowering the nozzle size.

Bucket

Keep a bucket near you and fill it up with water. The bucket will act as an extra source of water if you don’t like wasting water while using a pipe. You can also dip the whole carburetor in the bucket and leave it there for softening the dirt.

Glasses and Ear protection

Why do you need glasses? Or even ear protection? Well, for starters, the dirt may glide all the way from the carburetor to your eyes. However, ear protection is a must, as a pressure wash makes a sound you won’t like.

Gloves

Take gloves with point finger edges for holding the instruments properly. Besides, the gloves will help you avoid slipping away from your hands.

Screwdriver, wrench, bolt opener, etc.

Generally speaking, you need to open the carburetor first and then clean it. So, you need a collection of screwdrivers, wrenches, bolt openers, and so on.

Soap or cleaning solution

Frankly speaking, using a pressure washer won’t always do the trick. Sometimes you will have to dip the whole thing into a bucket mixed with soap or a cleaning solution. Doing so will loosen up the dirt and help you clean for better.

Steps of Cleaning Carburetor on Pressure Washer

First, turn the fuel valve off and remove everything starting from the spark plug to the carburetor.
Make sure the gas tank is empty, and the lines are unplugged.
Now pour some soap or any cleaning solution into a bucket filled with water.
After that, remove any residual gas and take the carburetor apart.
Submerge the dirty carburetor into the bucket. This will help soften the dirt and debris inside it.
Use the nozzle and spray the carburetor clean.
Avoid using the spray on any rubbery part as it is often too harsh on rubber. For those parts, use soap and a typical scrubber.
Don’t forget to close everything and try not to mess up the plugs.

FAQs

How do you clean a carburetor without removing it?

Cleaning a carburetor entirely without removing it is impossible. Frankly speaking, debris and dirt is often an internal issue. Not cleaning the carburetor causes dirt to fixate on the inside of the carburetor. So, to clean it, you need some opening tools.

Can you use WD 40 to clean a carburetor?

Yes. The WD-40 specializes in all-in-one carburetor cleaning can you will have the best results from it. This is a powerful cleaning spray blaster. Turns out, not even a single dirt particle will stay once you take hold of a WD-40.

How do you clean a gummed carburetor?

To clean a gummed carburetor, follow the steps below.
Open the carburetor and put it in a bucket mixed with a cleaning solution like soap or detergent.
Leave it there for a couple of hours. This will soften the gummed dirt from the carburetor.
Use a pressure washer to clean all the dirt and debris.
Make sure that the washer nozzle isn’t too big, or the pressure of water will decrease.
Finally, avoid the rubber portion of the carburetor, or else the rubber will get damaged.

What is the best thing to clean a carburetor with?

The best thing to clean a carburetor is to use a pressure washer. Turns out, the pressure washer will clean the internal parts of the carburetor and add a fine finish in the end. However, you can also use a hose and a sponge, but the outcome won’t satisfy you.

Can you clean a chainsaw carburetor without removing it?

Yes. Cleaning a chainsaw carburetor without removing it is kinda easy. But the question is, can you remove something from the internal holes without opening it up? If the dirt and debris inside the carburetor are too much, you have to open it.

Can you spray too much carburetor cleaner?

You can spray too much carburetor cleaner or even soap if you like. However, make a balance as using too much cleaner won’t make the carburetor clean any faster.

Final thoughts

Hopefully, now you don’t have to worry about how to clean a carburetor on a pressure washer. It is pretty simple, really. But don’t overdo it. Some of us forget that pressure washer carburetors have rubbery parts, which can get damaged with pressurized water. In the end, fix the plugs correctly, or you will have a hard time going through the day.

So, this is all for now. If you have anything to ask, just leave a comment below. Don’t worry, and we will help you all the way through. Bye for now.