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Carb Cleaner?

Post in 'The Gear' started by truck243, Feb 21, 2013.

  1. truck243 Member

    joined: Feb 20, 2011
    42 posts
    louisville ky
    Can I use carb cleaner in my chaisaw's gas/oil mix?
    #1

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  2. pen Super Moderator

    joined: Aug 2, 2007
    6,068 posts
    N.E. Penna
    You talking something like sea foam? startron?

    You looking for just general maintenance or are you hoping to clean the carb to solve a problem?
  3. BobUrban Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2010
    941 posts
    Central Michigan
    Like Hot gas or another injector cleaner additive? More info needed I think.

    I put seafoam and Motokote in every once in a while. Just a little with a fill up. I have never sprayed carb cleaner into the gas though
  4. MasterMech Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 2, 2011
    4,763 posts
    Hudson Valley NY
    Read the bottle, as long as it does not forbid use in 2-cycle engines, have at it.

    Curiosity is getting the best of me, what is it you want to add and why?
    Scotty Overkill likes this.
  5. truck243 Member

    joined: Feb 20, 2011
    42 posts
    louisville ky
    Well, it will start and run perfect, but after awhile, will sputter and stall. It has a new fuel line and filter.It did sit in a garage for many years.I dont feel like doing a carb rebuild, but may have to
  6. Scotty Overkill firewood hoarder

    joined: Sep 24, 2011
    6,787 posts
    central PA
    Save yourself the grief and rebuild that carb. you'll probably find that the fuel line and impulse line will need some attention, too. Thanks to the wonderful additive in our fuel we all know as Ethanol, fuel will continue to be worse and worse on our OPE. Carb overhauls are very easy, very inexpensive and will make a world of difference on a hard-to-start or run motor....
  7. lukem Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 12, 2010
    3,132 posts
    Indiana
    Make sure the tank is venting properly too.
  8. pen Super Moderator

    joined: Aug 2, 2007
    6,068 posts
    N.E. Penna
    Are you certain it's not losing spark once warmed up?
  9. MasterMech Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 2, 2011
    4,763 posts
    Hudson Valley NY
    Doesn't sound like it needs a carb rebuild.

    +1 Check spark immediately after it dies.

    Yup!

    If spark checks out, open the fuel cap. If you hear it hiss, like opening a bottle, then you're vacuum locked and most likely have an issue with the tank vent. If that's the case, or you don't hear that hissing sound, you should be able to restart the saw once you have vented the tank by opening and re-closing the fuel cap.

    Still no luck? Then start looking into fuel line (pressure test, visual inspection for cracks), impulse line, or carb diapragms. But I have a strong suspicion you'll get it solved before you get to this point. ;)
  10. truck243 Member

    joined: Feb 20, 2011
    42 posts
    louisville ky
    thanks guys
  11. biggkidd New Member

    joined: Feb 15, 2013
    24 posts
    I would stay away from startron its real hard on exhaust seats. Seen several new (500 hrs or less) with burned exhaust seats. Only thing we found in commen was the owners were using that particular additive. Different size and types of engines. One honda eng was so bad it took two full turns of the adj. nut to get the valve to seat.
    Do chek spark once it cuts off coils are bad about that a small crack spreads as it gets hot and quits firing or fires intermitantly.

    Larry
  12. computeruser Feeling the Heat

    joined: Jan 16, 2007
    336 posts
    East Lansing, MI
    Is there crap in the screen in the carb? Might be worth looking there.

    Basically, there is NEVER a good reason to run crap through your saw's carb. Fuel-oil mix is all it ought to see, period. If it isn't running right, find the problem and address it; a fix-in-a-bottle is not the answer.

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