Driver For Carb Pilot Plug Screw

[Jason2tpa]

Carbs are overdue for cleaning, my project for the coming weekend. Last time I pulled carbs I encountered the frustration of trying to unscrew the pilot plug screw without stripping the slot, since its screw head slot is specific...pictured below. These screws are very soft, I reckon copper, and its screw head slot is no doubt specific to yamaha. The slot is very shallow, narrow, and long. So I assume there is a "special" yamaha driver that can be bought. Last time I found a driver at walmart that did the job, however since the driver wasn't a perfect slot fit it caused a little head stripping. I'd prefer to not go through that headache again this time around. Wondering if any of y'all have discovered a driver or some other tool that does the job.




Pilot Plug Screw.jpg

[robert graham]

Consider taking an existing screwdriver and grind, dress, polish to fit the slot....can't be very difficult and then you'll always have that special tool...

[pstephens46]

Well you removed them last time. Any sealant or loctite to reinstall? Hope not.... Don’t know.

[panasonic]

Make the screwdriver fit the slot as noted above...that's all you can do.

[pstephens46]

Duuuuude. You got this. As meticulous as you are.....

[rodbolt17]

I rarely rarely EVER remove that plug. noting under it but a couple holes. I have seen to many carb body's crack at that plug.
kinda like the pilot air jets, not much point in removing them. kinda like the bowl vent jets. kinda pointless.

[Jason2tpa]

I rarely rarely EVER remove that plug. noting under it but a couple holes. I have seen to many carb body's crack at that plug.
kinda like the pilot air jets, not much point in removing them. kinda like the bowl vent jets. kinda pointless.

I'm comfortable with following your procedure in bold above. Though the rest of what you're saying...pointless to remove pilot air jets and main jets (bowl jets)...if I'm reading you correctly, your saying that making sure the jet orifices are clear of debris is not a concern to you???? I must be reading you wrong here, being that if only 1 of the 4 jets is clogged then the engine will have performance issues. No??

[Jason2tpa]

Any sealant or loctite to reinstall?

Heck no! But now that the master bolt mechanic chimed in saying he doesn't mess with the pilot plugs...I'm pretty comfortable with that. Unless anyone else has a particular reason they open these plugs.

[rodbolt17]

bowl vent jets are NOT main jets.
they ,just like pilot AIR jets do not handle fuel.
the big brass plug on the top????? no fuel sits there to gum up.
the main jets and pilot fuel jets get removed.
the later V4/V6 carbs are a back draft design.
that is why they have vent jets.
anytime I do not need to remove a threaded part it is one less worry.
I have probably rebuilt more carbs than any two posters here have laid peepers on.
I rebuilt my first Q-jet at 12.

[Jason2tpa]

Ah, you're refering to the slow air jet as the bowl jet...gotcha.

I ended up pulling carbs yesterday for a clean, ran the boat today. Although prior to cleaning carbs the engine was running good, just a lil sluggish out the hole, the performance results after a simple carb cleaning never ceases to amaze. Night and day difference.

[panasonic]

What happened to your rattle?

[Jason2tpa]

What happened to your rattle?

LOL. Funny you mention cause I was listening for it today and I don't hear it anymore. Which causes me concern for 2 reasons...one, the rattle was never there, rather a figment of my imagination and thus i'm beginning to loose my mind. Two...how could the rattle not be there anymore when I didn't fix it.

So I've discovered now since this rattle wasn't heard today, it's absence is more puzzling to me than what it was in the first place. Geez.

[panasonic]

Don't worry about it till it blows up then you will know what it WAS.....lol

[TownsendsFJR1300]

. Although prior to cleaning carbs the engine was running good, just a lil sluggish out the hole, the performance results after a simple carb cleaning never ceases to amaze. Night and day difference.

Just curious, are you running Ring-Free regularly (or at all)?

[Jason2tpa]

Just curious, are you running Ring-Free regularly (or at all)?

No. Every 4-5 months I dump a can of seafoam into the tank.