Assuming you use good clean fuel, properly shut the machine down for summer, etc. How often would it be neccesary to rebuild or clean out carbs before you start again in winter.
I have heard from every year from some to never until its a problem. I am undecided, but starting to lean towards the moto of if it ain't broken don't fix it.

Whats your thoughts/experiance on this?

I vote never. In over 30 years of this fine sport, I've only had to do it twice for "cleaning" purposes. And both times were because I was bringing a sled back from the dead that was parked for 3+ years and not drained. In fact I pulled apart my '98 Formula's carbs last month just because I thought it'd be smart (I bought it new, drove it annually, and never touched them after initially rejetting to my preferences in late '98.) I was a little surprised when I discovered they were clean as a whistle and didn't need it after 7 years of good care and never putting additives except for Sta-bil every spring. In fact they looked so good I didn't even bother with cleaning and I just re-assembled as they were.

So I've found there is no need on a sled that's used every year and treated to proper storage procedures.

Originally posted by craze1cars@Mar 12 2005, 05:49 PM
I vote never.* In over 30 years of this fine sport, I've only had to do it twice for "cleaning" purposes.* And both times were because I was bringing a sled back from the dead that was parked for 3+ years and not drained.* In fact I pulled apart my '98 Formula's carbs last month just because I thought it'd be smart (I bought it new, drove it annually, and never touched them after initially rejetting to my preferences in late '98.)* I was a little surprised when I discovered they were clean as a whistle and didn't need it after 7 years of good care and never putting additives except for Sta-bil every spring.* In fact they looked so good I didn't even bother with cleaning and I just re-assembled as they were.*

So I've found there is no need on a sled that's used every year and treated to proper storage procedures.
410485


Wow thats amazing with your formula, just goes to show how proper maintenance and using fuel stabilizer keeps things going.

Thanks for the help.

Itis a half hour job to clean a carb so why would you take a chance
of having a pluged port and borning it down a partly pluged pasage is worse than one that is completly pluged if it is pluged it wont run at all partly pluged it will start and seem to run ok then burn down when you least expect it clean them once a year stay bil helps but not a sure cure

Originally posted by MyDoo@Jul 12 2005, 04:41 PM
Itis a half hour job to clean a carb* so why would you take a chance
of having a pluged port* and borning it down* a partly pluged pasage is worse than one that is completly* pluged* if it is pluged it wont run at all partly pluged it will start and seem to run ok then burn down when you least expect it clean them once a year stay bil helps but not a sure cure
424387


I agree. I clean mine before the start of every season. Well, I don't have to really worry about that now with my SDI... :p ...but I'll still be checking the throttle bodies and possibly running some type of fuel injector cleaner in the gas to try and keep the injectors clean.

Originally posted by SkidooMatt@Jul 15 2005, 06:45 AM
I agree.* I clean mine before the start of every season.* Well, I don't have to really worry about that now with my SDI... :p ...but I'll still be checking the throttle bodies and possibly running some type of fuel injector cleaner in the gas to try and keep the injectors clean.
424632


I summerize mine every year and I still clean the carbs before the first ride every year. Even if they are spotless, it still gives me the opportunity to check everything else to be sure all is okay.

Keith

Same here once a year

I clean mine every year need it or not. I really believe it has alot to do with the area you live and the kind of fuel you get.down here in minnesota fuel is full of ethynol and goes bad in about 90 days it will start separating gas/water.even with stabil in it over the summer it's not worth the risk. IMO

How hard is it to clean the carbs?

Todd

Carbs are pretty simple. The air box and airbox to carb adapter are kind of a pain to get on and off, but the carbs themselves are easy. There are few moving parts in them, once you disassemble them, it's important to clean all the passageways for the pilot jet, choke, and main jet/needle jet... and also important to synchronize them when you put 'em back so they both do the same amount of work... there are some pretty good books on carbs and all the repair manuals have good info too...

Like someone said earlier, it depends on the fuel. I've had problems here in Minnesota with different additives in the gas right from the pump. Some fuels will gum up the low speed jets pretty quickly over the summer so I empty out as much as I can from the tank and run them dry with a shot of Seafoam in what's left of the gas. I haven't had any problems since I started doing this.

i say clen them every year....get to know you sled and every part.

i find its not hard. ..and its the best feeling putting them together...nice, clean carbs for the year..and replace the gaskets.. and O rings if needed


i had a dirt bike ( YZ 125 ) that was do dirty, it looked like green clay...it took like 10-15 kicks to get it running...i cleaned the carb and 1 kick was all it took...it put a smile on my face every time it started that easy.

I read an article a couple weeks ago and some sled tech said that all you have to do is clean them every other season. I personally agree with this, every single season is extreme unless your running real crappy gas.

I like cleaning mine and it gives me piece of mind. Once before the start of every season.