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Where to buy and how to inspect and rebuild a used carburetor (carburettor) | Shown on a Peugeot 405 Solex carburetor

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  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 3/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS YOU SPEND $15 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 3 HOURS TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • NO SAFETY ISSUES​
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out  by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

Where to buy a used carburetor

Buying a used carburetor online is risky for two reasons:
  1. It might not match the existing carburetor
  2. Its condition might not be as described 
The best remains to drive up to a scrap yard that sells second hand car parts from dismantled vehicles.
This allows you to compare the used carburetor with your existing one and inspect it to make sure it is in an acceptable condition.

What to inspect when buying a used carburetor (carburettor)

  1. Check that the original make is engraved in the carburetor (carburettor) body
  2. Rotate the throttle by hand to the maximum and release it to make sure it moves freely and doesn't get stuck in the middle. Repeat several times.
  3. Try to move the throttle drum on its horizontal axis to make sure there is not much movement denoting an excess gap between the throttle shaft and the carburetor (carburettor) body.
  4. Inspect all four sides to make sure no part is missing.

First round of used caburetor (carburettor) cleaning

Place the used carburetor (carburettor) as obtained from the scrap yard in a metal tray and vigorously spray it with carburetor cleaner.
Collect the liquid in an empty motor oil bottle for example for proper disposal.
Remove as much gum as you can from the carburetor (carburettor) body.

Opening and dismantling the used carburetor (carburettor)

Take out the throttle drum and separate the linkage between the throttle and the starter.
Unscrew the carburetor (carburettor) body and open it.
You can now see the upper part of the carburetor (carburettor) which holds the idle jet and the float valve and the lower part which contains the main jets and the membrane fuel pumps.
​See our specific page for carburetor (carburettor) dismantling and cleaning.

Removing all carburetor (carburettor) components and jets

Continue dismantling all components and jets of the carburetor (carburettor).
See our specific page for carburetor (carburettor) dismantling and cleaning.
Take out all the jets and injectors of the carburetor (carburettor).
See our specific page for carburetor (carburettor) dismantling and cleaning.

Cleaning the carburetor (carburettor) body and jets.

Use a combination of carb cleaner spray and WD40 in a glass jar to soak the jets for a few minutes.
Clean well with the carb spray all other components and finish the job by using compressed air.
The various carburetor (carburettor) parts should look as clean as shown in the right picture below.
​See also our specific page for carburetor (carburettor) dismantling and cleaning.

Modifying and adapting the carburetor (carburettor)

If needed and since the used carburetor (carburettor) that you purchased from the scrap yard is not necessarily of the perfect match compared to the one of your vehicle, you may mechanically modify the carburetor (carburettor) as long as you don't touch any fuel or air passage and you do not block the throttle or the starter.
The below pictures show how to of the fixing holes of the carburetor (carburettor) have been enlarged with a drill while two other holes have been drilled elsewhere.
See also our specific page for the fabrication of a carburetor (carburettor) adapter plate. 
Reassemble your carburetor (carburettor) while replacing all membranes and gaskets and proceed to its adjustment, refitting and engine tuning.

Proceed to one of our carburetor (carburettor) fixing tips:

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