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View Poll Results: How often do you rebuild your carburetor?
Annually 10 10.53%
Every other year 13 13.68%
Three years 0 0%
Four years 1 1.05%
Five years 2 2.11%
Over five years 3 3.16%
When she quits. If it works, don't fix it. 66 69.47%
Voters: 95. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1   IP: 24.152.131.153
Old 04-28-2013, 04:40 PM
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ndutton ndutton is offline
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How often do you rebuild your carburetor?

I don't know if this has been polled before, I can't remember and couldn't find one. I just read a post that an engine with running problems had not had a carb rebuild in 9 years which surprised me.

So let's find out. What's the popular frequency?
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others

Last edited by ndutton; 04-28-2013 at 04:45 PM.
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  #2   IP: 75.197.198.30
Old 04-28-2013, 06:34 PM
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Marian Claire Marian Claire is offline
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I had to vote for "When she quits" or I should say when she starts acting up. I will say I carry a spare carb that I rebuilt and a rebuild kit plus misc parts/gaskets. If you only have one carb I could see the need for more timely maintenance. I think lack of use and improper winter storage cause many of the problems we see. Dan S/V Marian Claire
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  #3   IP: 24.224.152.244
Old 04-28-2013, 09:21 PM
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Smile off and cleaned each fall.

I voted "annually". I do remove the carb every fall, when the boat comes out of the water, once I've run the antifreeze into the engine and exhaust.

Then take it home, take it apart, remove all jets, float and needle...then clean it all with brake clean or combustion chamber cleaner (either will work fine). Then reassemble and put it back on the engine the day I start her up in spring.

It's not a rebuild but I keep it maintained annually.

EDIT - additional info: Fuel filters: one filter / water separator and an additional automotive style in-line filter. I strongly suggest changing the element in the separator yearly and the in-line filter yearly as well.

Maintenance: Carb and filters...yearly....always done in the spring on start-up day so that they are fresh and gas not sitting in them for months. So change element, change in-line filter, tighten all clamps, install carb...and fire up.
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The pessimist complains about the wind.
The optimist expects it to change.
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Last edited by Mo; 04-29-2013 at 08:51 PM.
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  #4   IP: 173.53.23.94
Old 04-28-2013, 10:54 PM
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ILikeRust ILikeRust is offline
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Just for clarification - is there a set definition of what qualifies as a "rebuild" of the carb?
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  #5   IP: 24.152.131.153
Old 04-28-2013, 11:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ILikeRust View Post
Just for clarification - is there a set definition of what qualifies as a "rebuild" of the carb?
I'd say at a minimum a thorough cleaning and at least a float valve and seat replacement which would require a few new gaskets too. For me, I figure if it's that far apart I may as well go for the full monty meaning purchasing the rebuild kit and replacing the shaft seals as well. They can cause air leaks.

No extra parts left over like my Dad always had after one of his Mercury carb rebuilds. You remember him, the guy who'd light the BBQ with Molotov cocktails.

I hafta say I'm surprised at the early returns. As of this post there are only 5 out of 17 who perform regular maintenance, that's less than a third. With the care this group seems to give to their beloved engines, leaving the carb unmaintained until it fails is entirely contradictory to me. You don't do it with spark plugs, impellers or oil, why neglect the carb? I don't get it but it might help explain all the carburetor related posts we see on the forum. No wonder.
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others

Last edited by ndutton; 04-29-2013 at 08:56 AM.
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Old 04-28-2013, 11:22 PM
Mo
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Old 04-29-2013, 07:51 AM
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Had to vote for rebuilding every other year.
I sorta do what Mo does...
Once each year I give it a cleaning.
I've only had it 3 years and rebuilt it once. (Not even sure it needed it. Just felt like Neil, I have it apart so, why not?

So, hence the "bi-vote"


I should point out here that I have been able to avoid any ethanol fuel too.
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Old 05-28-2013, 10:48 PM
Bob N Bob N is offline
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From Road & Track

Dick O'Kane, a writer for Road & Track in the 70's, once said that "carburetor is a French word meaning 'leave it alone.'" (Of course, he was referring to the dastardly SU's installed in MG's and other Brit cars.) Still, they are words I have taken to heart.
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  #9   IP: 198.11.8.218
Old 07-15-2013, 01:32 PM
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More than I used to...

First - THANKS to all in this community that make it so easy to learn everything A4!

Just finished a 2 year refit prompted by fuel issues - I had everything that can go bad in a fuel system. Tank full of gunk from 40 years....carb full of gunk after 40 years....

Suffice to say, I was thrilled that my engine started beautifully last night, after taking a sawsall to the cockpit to pull the tank in 2011. Thanks again to the Forum, and Moyer Marine for providing such a valuable resource. Rebuilt carb, new electric fuel pump, big idle adjustment screw, oil pressure safety switch, oil drain kit, absolutely MAGIC extended bolt for the lower rear water pump....

So, how often? I'm thinking yearly and in the Fall, with the caveat that my entire fuel line will be dry from the tank outlet onward, and new big and in-line filters in the spring. I have continual problems with the newer fuel formulations in any small engine (except my weedwacker which seems impervious.) Outboard motor, chainsaw, generator, A4 all suffer from infrequent (not daily/weekly) usage and the gumming, varnishing, sticking that ensues. The only thing I haven't decided is whether or not to drain the tank and air it out, or fill the tank and keep the moisture trap on the vent. I'm leaning toward the former - in New England, our season is so short.
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Old 06-25-2014, 01:36 PM
gary randall gary randall is offline
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I have to qualify my every year vote because I don't replace the parts unless they appear to be damaged, like a needle valve that has no needle part left, for example.
I do however give it a thorough cleaning and inspection and replace the gaskets after complete disassembly.

For me, the payoff lies in eliminating a potential source if trouble develops with the engine.

I also like knowing it well enough to be able to strip the thing down on the dinette table in a rolling sea without losing track of what's what. Sometimes it's a long way from an Internet connection and those on the forum who are always there to bail me out!
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