the best carb cleaner

[weeder]

My engine is hard to start and runs a little rough, was wondering what might be a good additive to add to the gas to help clean out the carb? This is on a John Deere 425 with a Kawasaki engine.

Thks Weeder

 

[5030]

I use Sea Foam in a gallon jug. I add an ounce to every 5 gallon gas can of fuel for the mowers.

 

[def38]

Seafoam is of limited benefit for 4 stroke engines. It was originally developed for 2 stroke outboard motors.

Use a fuel system cleaner that contains PEA. I prefer Gumout or Techron. Both work well, are available at Walmart. Pick the cheapest. Either will remove fuel system varnish and deposits as well as clean up the valve stems and combustion chambers of carbon. Don't overdose. Follow the directions and be prepared to change engine oil after 10-20 hours of operation due to carbon soot in the oil. Thereafter, quality engine oil should be used to help keep the engine clean. Your fuel filter may need a change after treatment. While your engine is water cooled (I believe), I run Mobil1 5w-30 in my B&S Vtek twin. Synthetic engine oil in these smaller engines provides measurable benefits. Don't overlook valve lash adjustments...keeping the lash in spec can improve cold starts, improve engine power and help the engine run cooler. Also, clean and gap the sparkplugs. I always run plug gaps a little tight (0.003"-0.005" under spec)...helps cold starts.

 

[ArlyA]

I love seafoam and use it to stabilize all my occasional use engine fuels but I don't use it as a carb cleaner. I was trained as a marine mechanic and leaned about it X years ago and still use it today.

 

[WilliamBos]

My engine is hard to start and runs a little rough, was wondering what might be a good additive to add to the gas to help clean out the carb? This is on a John Deere 425 with a Kawasaki engine.

Thks Weeder

Take the carb off, order a kit and clean/rebuild it.

 

[RalphVa]

Seafoam. Just throw a dollup into the tank.

It has worked so many times to fix a carb problem on 4 CYCLE ENGINIES.

Ralph

 

[5030]

Seafoam. Just throw a dollup into the tank.

It has worked so many times to fix a carb problem on 4 CYCLE ENGINIES.

Ralph

You get a million opinions on a site like this but I have to say I've had excellent results with seafoam so I keep on using it. I use their carb cleaner with the straw applicator on my GDI Ford engine every oil change.

 

[/pine]

IMO the best carb cleaner is a clean air and fuel filter...!!

 

[5030]

IMO the best carb cleaner is a clean air and fuel filter...!!

I'll agree with that to a point and that point is, when burning e-gas crap, anything can happen.

 

[def38]

Seafoam. Just throw a dollup into the tank.

It has worked so many times to fix a carb problem on 4 CYCLE ENGINIES.

Ralph

Check the MSDS for Seafoam;

1- Oil
2- Naphtha
3- IPA

Not much happening with Seafoam. Makes a good hand sanitizer.