How to clean carb while on outboard

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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
As I have mentioned, i have raced and tuned off road motorcycles for many years. I double checked how well Acetone would clean the carb if one ounce was mixed with a gallon of gas. Both 2k Honda gens had sat for months without being run. Both were hard to start on the old gas and ran rough. I topped them both off with fresh regular gas and 1 oz of Acetone per 1 gallon of gas.. I ran them for about an hour and they ran better but not good. Shut them down for the night. After the Acetone present in the carb for 16 hours they both started this morning on the 1st pull and ran immediately without the choke (60 degrees outside) as they should, plus they ran smooth. Acetone probably had evaporated from the gas by this morning but before it did it dissolved the lacquer in the carb. No additional Acetone should be added after they start running good!
This is posted for general information and to assist people who might benefit from this post. If you disagree, fine, just don't use it then.
Chief
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
There is no tangible or scientific evidence that adding Acetone to your gasoline will do anything. This is not saying that Chief experienced the results that he did. There could be other reasons for that, but he states that adding the Acetone did improve the performance of his engine.

One should do more research before adding anything to their fuel. There are additives out that that make claims but have to evidence to back them up, or have been proven to be overstated claims.

As stated, the post was for general information and additional research should be sought out.
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
This is just the type of BS that keeps lots of us from helping anyone! We used acetone for years in racing bikes and had no problems, plus they ran great and fast! I covered the cautions myself. What experience do you have with it Brian? Chief
 
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rufus1138

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Mar 6, 2012
357
Hunter H33 (limited edition cabin top) Bayou Chico
ive had similar results with both gas and diesel engines using a product called rxp gas kicker. just fyi
 
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Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,164
CC 30 South Florida
Chief, do not be so sensitive; there is always room here for all kind of opinions so the user may pick whatever they think might work best for them. I'm personally willing to try the acetone thing on my generator even though Brian could be correct. Fair winds.
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
I am saying that you are wrong, but just to do more research on any suggestion.

My experience with Acetone? 1/3 of my life cleaning weapons and teaching others to clean theirs. Acetone will do a dandy job on removing carbon from the bolt face, bore, chamber, and other parts of a weapon. But at the same time, it breaks down lubricants and oils. After a good dose of Acetone on a weapon, one has the put more lubricants on the weapon than when using prescribed cleaning fluids. So, think about what it is doing inside one's engine.

So, as I said, it might be a good recommendation, but the prudent sailor would do more research. And I don't think we race our boats off-road. ;)

edit: the sentence should have read "I am not saying that you are wrong, but just to do more research on any suggestion." When I posted this, I was heading out the door to go to work.
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
My condolences Brian. Read what I said not what you think I said. Its to run once and clean your carb! Guys like you give me gas!(pun intended) Flat tracker tuners all over America would laugh at you. This isn't an experiment, this has been used on the tracks of America both 2 & 4 cycle ever since alcohol was added to our gas. Right back at you: this is not about weapons, its about small engines! I ask again: what are your qualifications? Don't tell me weapons, as I am a retired US Army officer who has served 8 war campaigns in the US Navy & US Army! Yes EIGHT!
Maybe I forgot to tell you that one of my many fields I am certified to teach at California college level is I am small engine lifetime certified?
When I post an entry you can bet I am qualified to help or I do not post! I do not think you can say that.
Chief
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Benny: I understand what you are saying but this guy is telling me to do more research when I have used the stuff and been a tuner for years. Don't you think he needs research before making such a negative response? Gasoline washes the cylinders without acetone. I do not post unless I am knowledgable as it hurts our people to mislead. Chief
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Woodster: Thank you for asking. No, I knew none of them as I was an amateur racer. I did get to meet one of the greatest: Dick Mann. Flagged Hangtown for 10 years. I was AMA #6 veteran class, Arizona. I do know some of the names you listed and very proud of them. Oldest son CMC #1 California, 2nd son #3 CMC N. California. Proud tuner for both! Chief
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Chief RA said:
Woodster: Thank you for asking. No, I knew none of them as I was an amateur racer. I did get to meet one of the greatest: Dick Mann. Flagged Hangtown for 10 years. I was AMA #6 veteran class, Arizona. I do know some of the names you listed and very proud of them. Oldest son CMC #1 California, 2nd son #3 CMC N. California. Proud tuner for both! Chief
Click to expand
yep good old bugsie Mann the fastest on 2 wheels back in the early &70's i got my old ama mechanics license around here somewhere...used to pit at Daytona for the 200 miler a long time ago now those were the days
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
woodster: Mann was still awesome even in his 60's! God, I loved those bikes! I took 3rd at Paso Robles when I was 49 against the kids running flat track. My last race.
Chief
 
Dan Johnson

Dan Johnson

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Oct 14, 2005
2,191
1983 Hunter H34 North East, MD
Re: How to clean carb while on outboard...

Surprised you guys haven't been using Wynn's Carbon Blaster. In the shop where I apprenticed, we'd slowly empty a small can into the carb of a running engine and put a large can of the stuff in the gas tank. After a quick road test the plugs always looked a nice dark tan. SCCA D-Prod for 5 years.
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Dan: thats great! I am all for helping these guys get the lacquer out of their carbs. Lots of these guys have a hard time removing the carb and worrying about getting it fixed and back on. At 128 to 1 acetone can't be a a bad thing since it has been used for years by MX and flat track racers. These guys know how to optimize running efficiency. My son Brent qualified a 125 Elsinore to flat track nationals running acetone in his tank and it was fast! I was the builder of that motor and her tuner. I had one motor that ran in a Houston pro race . So fast the racer couldn't hold it on the track!
Outboards and motorcycle engines enjoy a close parallel.
Chief
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Dan: Went to Amazon and Walmart and could not find Wynn's Carbon Blaster. Please advise. Thanks, Chief
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Thanks Woodster, I know that not only do you love motorcycles as I do,you were trying to intervene to help. Thanks, Chief
 
thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,670
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
I've seen a lot carbs clogged with aluminum corrosion products (ethanol if too wet); I doubt acetone will help. Salt is also a factor. So the bike analogy is false; different environment.
 
SeaTR

SeaTR

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Jan 24, 2009
408
Hunter 22 Groton
Hi Chief,
Resumes aside, I know you are trying to help out...sometimes it's not the 'what', but the 'how'.

All Y'all,
Does anyone know if there are any problems with using acetone on plastic (float) / o-ring parts ? I have a Nissan 3.5Hp kicker for my dinghy that's running rough...again. Last year I swapped out the carburetor ENTIRELY, 1-for-1 swap out, and still had similar problems. Now maybe I was on some good drugs at the time (smile), but one would think that a brand new carb swap would at least temporarily cure my ills....
 
Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson

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Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
Pouring a half of bottle of any 'X' product has more to do with cooler liquid being dumped on hot internals. It breaks hard carbon up and blows it out the tailpipe. Water will do the same thing.
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
SeaTR: Your point is made.
Since acetone is a curing agent for some types of plastic it is reasonable to be cautious with it and plastic components. At 128 to 1 ratio it does not seem to affect the plastic floats but that is probably why it is only used on occasion. Using it regularly is just not necessary, only enough to clean the carb.
I'll have my boat outfitted and should be launching at Bodega Bay right after the 4th. It did finish out beautiful inside and out! My best, Chief
 
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