Carb sosking -What fluid?

Joe)NYC) · Nov 18, 2012

I would like to soak my 2 barrel carb from my 1987 Doge Van. What kind of fluid should I use? I will also be replacing the usual parts. It is still original and never been worked on(90K mi). However, now I get a strong smell of gas when I come to a stop and also when I make a 90 deg turn. Of course the odor is the worst when I have the heat or AC on. Obviously my gas mileage isn't what it used be either.Time for the rebuild kit. Thanks in advance.

Royse · Nov 18, 2012

I have an old can of Berrymans that I use.
I heard the new Berrymans is not as good.
If you have a leak that you can smell and it still runs well it may not be
so much dirty as just worn out seals.
For that matter, the leak may be external to the carb entirely.
When did they switch to TBI? My 89 didn't have a carb.
Just my two cents.

Bob Huntress · Nov 19, 2012

I usually use whatever is in the parts washer, which is usually a kerosene and a can of Gunk. Before I reassemble it, however, I"ld rewash it with gas to make sure I get all the diesel out of it. Do you have any indication of a leak between the tank and the carb or at the carb?

old · Nov 19, 2012

Some of the newer carb cleaner soak stuff I have been told is not all that good any more due to EPA bull. Check around some of the parts stores and hope you can find one of the forever workers that can steer you in the right direction to find some of the good stuff. I have a bucket of Berrymans but it is also over 10 years old that works well but now days it is hard to find the good stuff

rustyfarmall · Nov 19, 2012

(quoted from post at 09:01:49 11/19/12) Some of the newer carb cleaner soak stuff I have been told is not all that good any more due to EPA bull. Check around some of the parts stores and hope you can find one of the forever workers that can steer you in the right direction to find some of the good stuff. I have a bucket of Berrymans but it is also over 10 years old that works well but now days it is hard to find the good stuff

Actually, it's been probably over 20 years since you could get the good stuff that not only would clean the gunk out of a carburetor, but would also take the skin off your fingers if you were foolish enough to stick your hand into it.

souNdguy · Nov 19, 2012

i use an older can of berrymans myself. good stuff.. eats paint, varnish and eventually.. skin....

check your fuel lines and fittings too.

Joe)NYC) · Nov 23, 2012

I have taken the engine cover off after I got home and could not find any apparent fluid. But the smell is quite strong. I don't plan on driving it anywhere far until I find where the problem is.

Joe)NYC) · Nov 23, 2012

My 1987 dodge van was the last year of the carburated ones. I sshould have waited another year and would probably have saved a lot of gas. When it was still relatively new(15,000 miles) I was getting about 17 mpg highway. Now it seems more like 12mpg at 89,000 miles.

rustyfarmall · Nov 24, 2012

(quoted from post at 21:49:10 11/23/12) My 1987 dodge van was the last year of the carburated ones. I sshould have waited another year and would probably have saved a lot of gas. When it was still relatively new(15,000 miles) I was getting about 17 mpg highway. Now it seems more like 12mpg at 89,000 miles.

I wonder if the float in that carburetor is made of brass, or if it is one of those composite materials? Either way, the float could be bad, but those composite floats had a tendency to become porous and actually soak up gasoline, which made them too heavy to float. A float that does not float will seriously effect the miles per gallon, and might even cause the raw gas smell you are experiencing.

A basic carb kit with gaskets, new needle valve and seat, and a new float should cure it.

A can of aerosol carb cleaner will probably take care of the crud and grime.

js305 · Nov 24, 2012

OK, here is a couple of cents worth that may be something to look at:

Someone said to look at fuel lines and fittings. I don't know about that particular van but I do know that several years of Dodges had a fuel line that actually went through part of the passenger compartment in a corner under the carpet. This could rust and leak just enough to smell. I had one that did that and almost gave up looking for the source. Even if it's all underneath, inspect every inch of the lines. Anywhere they are touching another piece of metal is suspect. The vents from the AC will pick up from the strangest directions.

Joe)NYC) · Nov 28, 2012

Thanks for the comeback. I think that is what I will wind up doing if the weather doesn't get too cold.

W_B · Nov 29, 2012

I got a gallon can of carb cleaner at the local auto parts store. It has a little basket in it for small parts. Probably not as good as the old school stuff but works pretty well if left for a few days. Soaked the carbs on my 9N and 8N before rebuilding and it did a good job on them.

Carb sosking -What fluid?

Joe)NYC)

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Royse

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Bob Huntress

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old

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rustyfarmall

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souNdguy

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Joe)NYC)

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Joe)NYC)

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js305

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Joe)NYC)

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