Carb storeage
 

In the spring of 2006 I decided to sort out my box of un-known carbs. Some were OK some were junk. I ended up with 9 good carbs, tested and tuned on a Echo 23, gas mixed 40:1. When storing them I decided to do an experiment. I chose 4 good running carbs.

Number 1 I just ran out dry on the engine, shook it out by hand and stored it.

With numbers 2 thur 4 I opened up both sides, dried them out, oiled liberally, re-assembled and stored.

Number 2 was oiled with WD-40. Number 3 was oiled with red after run oil. Number 4 was oiled with Singer sewing machine oil.

They were all stored in seperate, sealed, freezer baggies. They sat for about 15 months.

With no preperation, straight from the storage baggie, I mounted each one on an engine and attempted to run it.

Number 1 (just run dry) engine would not run, carb would not pump fuel at all. Inspection showed that the pump diaphram was dried out and pretty stiff. The flap valves were stiff.

Number 2 (WD-40) engine very diffucult to get started and ran poorly. Pump diaphram and flap valves were quite stiff and worked marginally.

Number 3 (red after run oil) engine started with a little effort, after about 10 oz. of fuel it was running OK. Diaphram and flap valves had stiffened a little but workable.

Number 4 (Singer sewing machine oil) engine fired right up and ran very well. Diaphram and flap valves were not quite as soft as new but still very flexable.

Based on these results I'll be using Singer sewing machine in any carbs I store in the future.

RE: Carb storeage
 

I done a simular experiment. Run dry and then squirt silicone spray in fuel inlet. I use a short piece of fuel line and fill it with spray. Then crank engine over to get the liquid inside carb. A primer valve will work too!!! It keeps carbs perfect!!!! Starting...no problem. Capt,n;)

RE: Carb storeage
 

Just out of curiousity, (and a feeling of guilt because I haven't even checked the internal fuel filter in a year), I pulled the carb off my Giant Big Stik with it's Poulan 42cc on Gas/Glow. It has been in occasional use for a year. After each outing, I run it at full throttle and pull the fuel line off and let it die. I then inject some auto trans fluid into the carb throat and turn the engine over numerous times to disperse the oil internally.

Other than a small amount of crap in the internal filter screen, the carb was in perfect shape. So much for Gas/Glow ruining carbs.... ;)

AV8TOR