Siezed carb jets

[kflyboy]

I am doing carb cleaning at 82,000 mi. Fuel air mixture screw and pilot jet in #1 carb are seized-can't get them out. Anyone ever used a micro torch to heat the housings and loosen them up? Good or bad idea? Easier way to get them out?

[trbig]

There are some rubber and plastic bits in the carb that'll probably get ruined by doing this.

The most important thing is to insure a proper sized screwdriver, but if that fails, there are easy-out bits I would try first.

[newc4]

I am doing carb cleaning at 82,000 mi. Fuel air mixture screw and pilot jet in #1 carb are seized-can't get them out. Anyone ever used a micro torch to heat the housings and loosen them up? Good or bad idea? Easier way to get them out?

I'm currently working on the carbs on my 81LH. Fortunately all the jets are coming out easily.

Its usually the pilot jet that doesn't want to come out. For those I have heated the carb body with a propane torch. Usually that and a snug fitting screwdriver is sufficient to remove the jets.

[kflyboy]

There are some rubber and plastic bits in the carb that'll probably get ruined by doing this.

The most important thing is to insure a proper sized screwdriver, but if that fails, there are easy-out bits I would try first.

Thanks for the tip. I will try the easy-out method.

[Ranger_xs1100]

easy out

Thanks for the tip. I will try the easy-out method.

Be very careful with the easy out method!
Go gently and don't overly force it!

Just this week I broke off an easy out bit inside of the pilot jet.
The jet was THAT frozen that the bit actually broke off!
And this happened even after a few days of soaking it with PB Blaster.

And what I found out is:
The easy out bits are even harder than drill bits it seems, because then I couldn't even drill IT out.

Let us know how it works out for you.

[kflyboy]

Be very careful with the easy out method!
Go gently and don't overly force it!

Just this week I broke off an easy out bit inside of the pilot jet.
The jet was THAT frozen that the bit actually broke off!
And this happened even after a few days of soaking it with PB Blaster.

And what I found out is:
The easy out bits are even harder than drill bits it seems, because then I couldn't even drill IT out.

Let us know how it works out for you.

Thanks for the heads up on the easy out system. Didn't realize they are that fragile-have a couple of options now.

[red bandit]

I've used a propane torch many times. Just don't heat it much. The safe way is use hot water. You won't burn/melt/hurt and rubber or anything else. A #1 twist easy out fits the pilot jets like it was made for it.

[motoman]

Have never had that issue with brass against aluminium, but bettin' a couple drops from a can of Kriol and then left to penetrate for bit will release them able to unscrew. The Kriol has been around for many decades and can be had from places like Ace Hardware, Tru-Valu, etc.. May save from having to replace the pilot jets and such.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there,

Instead of a FLAME source, get a heat gun on low, use it on the carb body, then spritz with carb cleaner, REPEAT, the repeated heating/cooling can help break up the corrosion GLUE that has formed between the jet and carb body. And then final heating prior to trying to unscrew it, will hopefully swell the body to loosen it's grip on the jet!?

T.C.

[oldsciman]

Siezed carb jet

Had success by soaking with carb cleaner then soaking rag with carb cleaner and placing on top. Repeated for three days and finally got it to nudge, then did one more day, and got it out.

[motoman]

Had success by soaking with carb cleaner then soaking rag with carb cleaner and placing on top. Repeated for three days and finally got it to nudge, then did one more day, and got it out.

Glad a little patience and that method worked for you.