Yes. Some fuel injector cleaners can effectively clean carburetors. Carburetor deposits are generally easier to clean than fuel injector deposits.
Can You use Fuel Injector Cleaner in a Carburetor?
As far as I can tell, Yeah, you can. However, not all fuel injector cleaners can clean a carburetor. It all depends on which bits they were created to clean.
There are mainly two sources of fouling for fuel injectors.
- There’s the additives in the gasoline (varnish) and
- Carbon fouling from combustion.
You’d only find a varnish in the carburetor unless ofcourse something’s not right. With fuel injectors, its more of carbon fouling with maybe some little traces of varnish.
ALSO SEE: Does Fuel Injector Cleaner Expire?
That said, the varnish will dissolve to at least some degree in practically any liquid hydrocarbon. So, you might need to scrub a bit more, but it will probably work.
In the past when special cleaners cost more, I would clean carburetors with little amounts of fresh gasoine. It’s not as great as a good cleaner, but it has the advantage of being something you already have access to.
Note: Ensure you have good ventilation and secure all potential sources of ignition as it tends to be a bit more volatile than carburetor cleaner.
What Should I use to Clean a Carburetor?
I recommend using Carb cleaners. It’s pretty potent stuff and would get you the desired result in most carbs.
How Can I Clean my Carburetor?
- Tear down your carb
- Grav your carb kit
- Spray the car with a carb cleaner so the caked junk can be loosened
- Once all passages are sticky clean, install a carb kit
- Re-assemble and reinstall the carb.