Why I stopped buying those $40 carb rebuild kits and started just cleaning them myself

Used to drop $40 every time a lawnmower started running rough. Figured new parts were the safe bet. Then last fall I had a Craftsman that wouldn't idle and I was out of money. Tore the carb down, soaked it in $3 worth of Berryman's for 2 hours, and it ran better than new. Now I just do that with everything. Saves me probably $150 a year. Anyone else ditch the rebuild kits?

2 comments

2 Comments

blair_davis12d ago

You ever try the ultrasonic cleaner route? I picked up one of those cheap Amazon ones for like 30 bucks and it changed everything. Just drop the carb in with some simple green and water, run it for 15 minutes, and it comes out spotless even in the tiny passages. I still do the Berryman's soak for really crusty ones but the ultrasonic saves me from digging out the gunk with a wire every time lol.

vals3812d agoMost Upvoted

Funny you mention that, because I've noticed this pattern with a lot of cheap tools these days. A thirty dollar ultrasonic cleaner works surprisingly well for simple stuff, but people act like it's gonna fix a totally clogged up carb from a lawnmower that sat for five years with bad gas. In my experience, those budget ones just don't have the power to blast through hard varnish. You still need the soak and a pick set for the really stubborn bits, just like you said.