“Learning how to clean carburetor on pressure washer is one of the most effective ways to fix common engine problems.” I own a pressure gas washer, and I find that it is necessary to clean it every so often to get the best performance from my machine. Like any carburetor in power tools or vehicles, a pressure washer carburetor is at risk for clogging, and the pressure washer will cease to run if clogging results.
Maybe your pressure washer carburetor already has some clogging, or maybe you just prefer to do some prevention cleaning in order to avoid a trip to a service shop if your machine stops working. Here is my time saving easy guide in ten simple steps for cleaning your pressure washer’s carburetor.
Table of Contents
How to Clean Carburetor on Pressure Washer? 10 Steps
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Carburetor on Pressure Washer
Step 1: Photograph the carburetor and surrounding area before you even touch it for disassembling.
This will help you remember how you need to reinstall the parts, once you have cleaned them. Remember to try to replace each part in the same order in which you removed it.
Step 2: Prepare a towel or flat surface on which to lay the pieces you extract and try to keep them in order.
Step 3: Take off the spark plug’s cap and close the fuel valve. This will guarantee that no fuel flows through the carburetor during cleaning.
Step 4: Locate the carburetor on the pressure washer. You may need to remove the cover of the throttle, any intake connection, as well as the box for filtering air to be able to reach the carburetor.
Step 5: Empty out the fuel tank. Before beginning to clean, locate the fuel line that connects a carburetor to a fuel tank. Remove the tube from the carburetor’s nipple to take out old fuel.
If you recently filled up your gas tank and don’t want to lose new gas, clamp the gas line shut. Also, prepare for any dripping by positioning a bowl or container underneath.
Step 6: Take out the carburetor from the pressure washer. A socket or nut driver will allow you to unscrew the two screws or bolts that connect the engine to the carburetor.
Afterward, proceed with disconnecting the carburetor from the throttle cable.
Step 7: Get Rid of Leftover Fuel. If the carburetor still has any amount of fuel inside it, empty it into a container or towel to remove residual fuel from inside.
Take a good close look at the carburetor to ascertain if it is corroded in any way. If there is corrosion, replace the carburetor.
Step 8: Disassembling the Carburetor. Again, photograph your carburetor unit for memory’s sake. You can now unscrew the carburetor’s bottom to remove the bowl.
When you remove the bowl, you will be able to view the pressure washer’s floater. Disassemble the parts.
Step 9. If your pressure washer’s carburetor has any rubber parts, do not use an aerosol carburetor cleaner as it may be corrosive to rubber. Using plain soap and water, all of the parts can be cleaned.
Each carburetor component should be washed and rinsed thoroughly. Allow the individual components to dry.
Step 10: You have to put it all back together now. Refer to your photographs to help you and follow a reverse order of their removal.
The Role of the Carburetor
How to Clean Carburetor on Pressure Washer. The carburetor is an essential piece of equipment for the functioning of any engine. It is the component that will guarantee you the proper mixture of air and fuel to keep your engine running well.
An ideal ratio will fall into the range of 12 to 1 or 15 to 1. This is the ratio goal for optimum engine performance.
Occasionally, your carburetor will become clogged. This is nothing strange and is to be expected. If this happens, your pressure washer will not perform correctly or consume its fuel properly.
It may even consume more fuel than actually is required. Without a properly functioning carburetor that ensures a good flow of both gas and air, your washer unit may not even start.
As with carburetors in any machine, there will be indications that a good thorough cleaning is necessary. Here are some of the commonest clues to be on the lookout for:
The engine won’t start. This is practically a no-brainer. if your washer won’t start up or if it starts and immediately dies on you, it’s pretty likely that air is not passing correctly through the carburetor causing failure to start. The first problem to consider will be the carburetor when this happens.
Coughing, choking, or popping noises. This type of sound is a ready giveaway that the balance between fuel and air is incorrect. There probably is insufficient fuel running through the carburetor, so you hear these pops.
Black Smoke. A bad sign that implies too much gas is running through your machine’s carburetor. If the amount of gas exceeds the suggested quantity, black smoke will be emitted.
Yikes! If you notice gas leaking from the carburetor, it is seriously blocked or clogged. If the gas cannot flow through the carburetor, it will overflow the carburetor chamber and you’ll have leakage.
While disassembling the carburetor of a pressure washer for cleaning purposes may appear challenging, you can do it!
Choosing the Right Cleaners: The Key to a Successful Job
Knowing how to clean carburetor on pressure washer is only half the battle; using the right products is what guarantees a great result. Not all cleaners are created equal, and using the wrong one can be ineffective or even cause damage. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need.
Must-Have: Aerosol Carburetor Cleaner
How to Clean Carburetor on Pressure Washer? This is your primary weapon. A high-quality carburetor cleaner spray contains powerful solvents that are specifically designed to dissolve the tough varnish, gum, and carbon deposits that clog the tiny jets and passages inside a carburetor. Look for a brand that comes with a long, thin straw applicator. This straw is essential for directing the high-pressure spray deep into the small orifices of the main and pilot jets, blasting out the debris that causes most engine problems. Products like Gumout or CRC Carb Cleaner are industry standards and highly effective.
Highly Recommended: Carburetor Cleaning Brush Kit
How to Clean Carburetor on Pressure Washer? While the spray is great for dissolving grime, sometimes a physical blockage of hardened debris needs to be manually poked out. This is where a carburetor cleaning kit becomes invaluable. These affordable kits contain a set of very fine, stiff wires and small nylon brushes of various diameters. They are perfectly sized to fit into the tiny holes of the jets without scratching or damaging the soft brass. For a truly thorough cleaning, you should always follow up the chemical spray by running these brushes through every passage to ensure they are completely clear.
If you are cleaning your pressure washer carburetor for the very first time, I admit it can seem very confusing and complicated, but it really is not.
This is a maintenance chore that you can perform without having to spend money at a service center, and you’ll get to know your machine a bit better. Take your time. Photograph everything before removing any parts. If you feel better, you can also photograph individual steps as a reference for your memory.
It is an absolute priority that you reassemble your carburetor components in the identical order in which you removed them from their positions. This order will make reassembly so much easier and guarantee the proper functioning and performance of your pressure washer. Keep those photographs nearby and good cleaning! “With these steps, you now know how to clean carburetor on pressure washer and keep your machine running like new.”
