Cleaning Carburetors with an Ultrasonic Cleaner

[newboater]

I had problems with my carbs, and discovered they needed a good cleaning. I’ve read over and over again to use an ultrasonic cleaner. The carbs on my Yamaha F90 have a dozen or so openings and passageways so I finally decided to break down and buy one.

It’s been hard to find a lot details on using an Ultrasonic Cleaner in one place, so I’m posting this info for anyone who may find it useful. A number of people have helped me along my journey, so I’m hoping someone else can use this information. Use it at your own risk. It’s only one opinion and it’s also my first time using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean carburetors.

Please see the attached word document for all the details. I've also added a PDF file for those that don't have Microsoft office or word.

Bob

[robert graham]

Thanks for sharing your experiences....hopefully I won't need carb cleaning, but it may become necessary one day. I believe that using fuel stabilizers like Stabil all the time and draining each carb for any extended lay-up periods can go a long way at keeping carbs clean....Thanks Again!...

[newboater]

Thanks Robert. I use ring free and a fuel stabilizer all the time. I recently purchased this boat, had a few good days on it and started having the carb issues.

I've also attached an Adobe Acrobat PDF file for those that don't have Microsoft Office or Word.

Bob

[robert graham]

A fuel/water seperator type filter is also good insurance against dirty carbs....

[newboater]

I always use one. I prefer the Racor's with the clear bowl on the bottom.

I just bought this boat recently and didn't have all the history. The previous owner always ran E-10 with stabil, but has only been running the motor once or twice a month to keep it running.

When I drained the float bowls the gas had an orange color to it, was cloudy and had a foul smell. I haven't experienced phase separation yet, unless that's what this is. That surprised me since I've run about 15 gallons of gas through it since I bought it, and it only has a 25 gallon tank.

I'll be draining and cleaning the fuel tank, installing a new Racor filter/separator and new fuel lines. Will also change the internal filter and clean the fuel pump. I'll also be switching to REC90 gas which is non-ethanol gas with a 90 octane rating.

Fortunately it's on a pontoon boat so it's not that difficult to work on, except for it being on a boat lift and I don't have a trailer.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I always use one. I prefer the Racor's with the clear bowl on the bottom.

I just bought this boat recently and didn't have all the history. The previous owner always ran E-10 with stabil, but has only been running the motor once or twice a month to keep it running.

When I drained the float bowls the gas had an orange color to it, was cloudy and had a foul smell. I haven't experienced phase separation yet, unless that's what this is. That surprised me since I've run about 15 gallons of gas through it since I bought it, and it only has a 25 gallon tank.

I'll be draining and cleaning the fuel tank, installing a new Racor filter/separator and new fuel lines. Will also change the internal filter and clean the fuel pump. I'll also be switching to REC90 gas which is non-ethanol gas with a 90 octane rating.

Fortunately it's on a pontoon boat so it's not that difficult to work on, except for it being on a boat lift and I don't have a trailer.

Sounds like your doing everything right.

Sounds like you still have bad fuel in the tank. Either pulling the tank and flushing OR a product I found, that will help you burn off the water is K100: Fuel Treatment, Fuel and Gas Additive | K-100 HOME

It literally suspends the water in the fuel and its burned off as you run vs sitting in the bottom of the tank.

I had the same issues as you(not so bad) but afte using K100 and non ethonol fuel, the fuel is now spotless, NOT cloudy. The 50 gallon, built intank has NEVER beeen pulled or emptied (1997).

An interesting video showing how the water DOES NOT SEPARATE form the fuel: Demonstration Videos | Kinetic Fuel Treatment


Newboater- Bob, very good links/PDF's. I alos noticed your ALSO in Cape Coral (as am I)

[newboater]

Thanks for the link Scott

Very interesting video. Do you get the K100 locally? Do you run REC90 in your Yamaha? Do you use Ring Free as well as the K100?

Maybe we can hook up some time since we're both in Cape Coral.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Thanks for the link Scott

Very interesting video. Do you get the K100 locally? Do you run REC90 in your Yamaha? Do you use Ring Free as well as the K100?

Maybe we can hook up some time since we're both in Cape Coral.

I run RingFree and K100 ONLY in my boat for the last 2.5 years and Marina, Non-ethonol (Cape Harbour) fuel. I think its 92 octane, nothing else.

I buy it on-line by the case, (a little cheaper) but ABC mower, next to the Home Depo (on Skyline Blvd) is now carrying it.

The mower shop has a display, just like the video, absolutly amazing.. I found it years ago my local motorcycle shop (in Ft Myers, Superbikes and Ski on Fowler St). I've known the owner, Steve for close to three decades (he carries it as well).

But yes, the two work together just fine, no issues...

PM me if you need further, etc, I'm on the finger canals (SW).

[throrope]

Ditto with the "bad fuel in the tank".

Yamaha accommodated ethanol fuels for the last decade or so, but third party accessory providers (i.e. dealer rigs) are not as motivated and non-ethanol rated bulbs, lines and tanks are readily available for much less cost. Since it all goes to the outboard, the owner enjoys the consequences.

From my expensive experience, a new tank, primer bulb, fuel hose and 10 micron filter cost less than a failed trip.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

From my expensive experience, a new tank, primer bulb, fuel hose and 10 micron filter cost less than a failed trip.

I actually had the fuel line from my racor to the engine, INTERNALLY BREAK DOWN. Pieces of the insides of the line was found up in the Yamaha filter. Nothing in the racor (as it was past the racor). Mercury line actually, installed when I repowered the boat in 2007:



I caught it early enough (doing regular maintainance) and replaced all the lines from the filter including a new Yamaha primer valve.
The fuel filter / water separator is also a 10 micron..

[newboater]

I'm hoping the tank will be ok, but plan on replacing every bit of fuel line from the tank to the carbs, new filters and primer bulb. I've already seen signs of the fuel hoses breaking down internally inside the motor, so I don't suspect any of the exposed external hoses could be in any better shape. The sun is a beast.