For vehicles outfitted with a carburetor, periodic cleaning and maintenance is essential in order to prolong the car’s life. Carburetors are essential devices in vehicles, as they create the optimal gas and air mixture within the engine, and are primarily responsible for the combustion process. Over the last 30 years, fuel injected engines have gradually replaced carburetors, but there are still a great many vehicles on the road outfitted with carburetors. Scrubbing away at a carburetor manually can be a time and labor-intensive process. For that reason, the simplest and most cost-effective way to maintain these devices is by using a carburetor cleaner.
Over time, gasoline residue naturally accumulates on the inside of the carburetor, impairing function and resulting in difficult starts and loss of power. Using a carburetor cleaner can help prevent these problems, and applying the cleaners is a relatively simple process. Some carburetor cleaners come in spray form, and are simply sprayed over the entire outside and inside of the carburetor. Others come in a liquid form an are poured directly into the carburetor, whereas some can be added to the fuel tank, much like fuel injector cleaners. Choosing the method with which you are most comfortable is the best way to get a clean carburetor.
Best Carburetor Cleaner
STP is a well-known automotive maintenance company, and carries a wide range of products which keep vehicles on the road for years. One such product is their Fuel Injector and Carburetor Treatment. As the name implies, this formula is conveniently suitable for both fuel injectors and, more importantly, carburetors. Furthermore, the STP carburetor cleaner is easily applied, as it is simply added to the fuel tank during fill ups. For ease of use, this carburetor cleaner is perhaps the best. At a cost of $10 to $15, it is also very competitively priced.
Gumout is another brand known for their stellar maintenance formulas such as their carburetor cleaner. The Gumout Carb and Choke cleaner comes in a spray can, and is applied directly to the exterior and interior of the carburetor. Although this method does require a bit more labor such as removing the air filter, it is certainly the most direct way to clean the carburetor. This particular product is completely safe on catalytic converters and oxygen sensors but, unlike the STP cleaner, is not recommended for fuel-injected vehicles.
The Yamaha Carburetor Cleaner Dip is another solution which is applied directly to the carburetor, although it is not in spray form like the Gumout cleaner. The dip is perfect for removing all sorts of varnish, gunk, and residue buildup, but may require a bit more work since it must be applied by hand to the carburetor. At only $12.99, though, this is one of the best priced formulas on the market.
The best carburetor cleaner is one which you feel comfortable working with and is most affordable. Each of the aforementioned products are excellent at dislodging grime from carburetors. For ease of use, however, the STP product certainly stands out since it is can simply be added to the fuel tank.