How to Clean the Carburetor of a Small Engine

Bob Agner, head of Subaru's warranty service department, takes viewers through a step-by-step process of cleaning small engine carburetors. Tune in to watch Agner address one of the most common culprits of small engine problems and get tips on how to maintain your engine properly to avoid future issues.
Drain the carburetor bowl 1:27
Remove carburetor bowl 1:58
Remove the air filter assembly 2:24
Remove and clean the carburetor's main jet: 2:55
Remove the carburetor: 4:27
Remove and clean the idle jet 5:06
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[@shadricosuave]

One of the most basic and simplest videos I've seen yet on how to clean a carburetor. Thanks for making it very straightforward and simple.

[@robertleviton5384]

Greatest carburetor cleaning video of all time! Our Subaru water pump failed at the worst moment, 2000+ gallons of water in our basement. This video saved the day...after a few steps, cleaning and reassembling, we were back to successfully pumping water from our basement. Thanks Bob - Terrific instructional video!

[@gavinmann6141]

My Honda compaction plate started but then stopped straight away. Not knowing anything about mechanic's I was stuck on a job with a base to compact and no clue how to repair it. I looked on youtube found his video with really clear instructions and managed to get my compaction plate running again. Thanks for saving me the grief and cost of taking it for repair. Brilliant video

[@BobHelminski]

Step-by-step video was just perfect. My pressure washer (Ridgid with a Subaru engine) has been sitting idle for about 8 years. Found this video and followed the steps. A couple hours later (4/25/2021) , my pressure washer fired up on the FIRST PULL! Thanks Bob Agner! You just saved me hundreds of $$$ on a new pressure washer!

[@WobblyPython]

I really appreciate how straight forward and general-knowledge oriented this video is! A tremendous help. Thank you.

[@jleedixon]

After Hurricane Ian passed, I found that my Subaru generator wouldn't start. This video showed me how to clean my carb. Thank you Subaru for helping me save the day!

[@dougcolpetzer3126]

I found this video and followed all the instructions to a tee. After 2 years of trying to get my generator working, I can say it runs again. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@JamesDziezynski]

Thanks so much for making this video! I had a wood chipper that wouldn't start. Your clear, easy-to-understand directions got my carb cleaned out and she started right up. It's greatly appreciated!

[@carolinerose5743]

Thank You! My wood chipper wouldn't start and I figured it was from old gas in the carburetor. It has a Briggs & Stratton engine and the nearest authorized repair shop is over 18 miles away. I found an auto repair shop that's 11 miles away who said they work on small engines. They said it would take them about 2 hours to remove & clean the carburetor at a rate of $80.00 an hour plus tax. Aside from the cost, it would have been a pain to have to haul the chipper down there and back at a maximum speed of 45 mph, and then have to wait around for it to get fixed, or make another trip to pick it up. So I searched and searched online for any kind of maintenance & repair information on how to service this B.S. engine, but none of the numbers that are on the engine matched up with anything. I've never even seen a small engine carburetor before now. I didn't know what the jets looked like, that the bowl came off, or that it had a drain screw. The B.S. carburetor I have is a bit different from the Subaru carburetor in this video, but I was still able to take it apart, clean everything out, and put it back together. And now it runs! Woo-hoo! So thank you very much for this video!

[@quinnhunsinger1603]

I put a new carburetor on my Subaru 4.5 ex13 a few days ago. Its on a Toro GreensMaster1000 greens mower. I had cleaned the carb a few times, and it was still certainly usable, but I decided it was time to replace it. Nice to have a clean backup. I also replaced the air cleaner assembly, and the muffler. The engine runs flawlessly. I very much prefer the Subaru engine over the Kawasaki engine that I have used on other peoples greens mowers.

[@kurtschmitt2991]

Great video cleaned the carb as you instructed and what was a dead engine sprung back to life on the second pull!

[@2tallB]

Thanks, this helped with the terminology and function of some of the parts, like idle jet etc

[@kevintaylor7278]

Hopefully my question may get answered. But I am going to work on my Craftsman weed whacker that seems to be bogging out. It is only a few years old but last winter I didn't empty the gas or anything, so it sat all winter with that fuel. Would it be safe to just try cleaning the bowl and jet first, without taking the whole carb off to clean or is it necessary to remove the carb and clean it all? Thanks!

[@ScottT109]

Thank you I found it very helpful for the various gas powered small engines I own. I converted my generator to propane to avoid startup issues when you really need the genny to work in an emergencies. Next conversion is my log splitter. Gasoline is convenient fuel but a problematic one for intermittently used tools/equipment

[@johnmacmillan627]

Just what I wanted. Thank you. One question..what is the nozzle as I didnt see you remove it though I watched you replace it?

[@camerongraham4279]

My dads out of town right now and i wanted to get this little atv running so I just decided to learn myself 😂

[@chugalongway01]

Good one Bob, you nailed it. Extremely informative and helpful 👍👍👍

[@johnbalasa711]

Thank you. One of the best ,for non mechanics.

[@freakboy5001]

This video was a lifesaver.

[@susanbailey6321]

Thanks - Great video. I cant get the strainer bowl on mine to budge, though. It feels like it's going to break if I apply anymore force to it. Any ideas on removing it without destroying it, or do I just have to tear it and order a replacement?

[@markjackson4831]

Great video. I got as far as the float on mMy Husky Subaru Generator (EX3000520x28142). Carb was filled with varnish from sitting. Float spring will not come out. Do I need to buy a new carb? Float actually came apart from spring. Help?

[@mikedalakis5292]

Great tips, very well presented. Thanks much.

[@blinderb1032]

Where can I find the proper gaskets for my 2002 Subaru engine?

[@horacesawyer2487]

Excellent video. Great camera work and narration. Please make more.

[@maumbu]

It's alive...ALIVE!!! Thanks man!

[@jonienglish3231]

Good Video !!! just Picked up a Subaru EX21 date MFG 2011 Runs and Stalls

[@RobUSVI]

Thank you! Followed your instructions and my generator runs like new.

[@neilclist5889]

Wow thanks for the video my mower had an unmarked carb no mower place would touch a repair wanted to sell me a new model I watched your video and followed the steps put it back on and she purrs like new

[@nickcarter9373]

Thanks this video was very helpful straight to the point.

[@sherriegrimes4975]

enjoyed the demo. my pressure washer engine (7.0 ex 210 will not stay running so I followed your instructions as you described. I could not remove the plastic filter at the side of the carb so as a consequence the engine is still not operating properely. Mike G

[@OurDreamTennesseeHome]

Awesome! Great job editing too! very informative! Whoot!

[@jessecan]

What model of Mikuni carburetor is that?

[@nikolaymaklak774]

Спасибо за познавательное видео! Мой мотор Subaru ex17, карбюратор Mikuni. Ещё раз большое спасибо!

[@RicardoGarcia-me3lg]

Hi. I have a pressure washer with a Subaru EX21 engine and I wanted to know how to remove the air cleaner cover to check/replace the air filter element. Mine has the solid air cleaner cover (no hole on top with a threaded stud and wing nut) and it is very tightly attached to the air cleaner housing. I've tried to pop it off but it won't budge and I'm afraid to break it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[@smiller35]

my Subaru generator wouldn't run. i followed the instructions in the video and now the generator runs like new.

[@mukhi65]

Thanks for nice clean video. I do have problem on my Generac power washer. After spraying starting fluid, it will fire for few seconds and shuts off. I will open my power washer carburetor this weekend and clean it out. I don't have Subaru one but Carb look same. May be all small engine carb mfg by same company :).

[@DK-ii5sc]

I need one of these carburetors. Where can I get one? Thank you.

[@Mega77k]

Sick Bra!!! No I can service more than just my wife.

[@nwiegman]

thank you- very helpful

[@davidlegalley1161]

Great information, thank you!

[@pirihern9329]

I'll have to do the same. Stored for 1 year . Subaru power stroke pressure washer . Starts with elctrc start not with the pull cord

[@bus-fun-addict]

Great video!

[@johndarrow8334]

Excellent, thanks for the instruction!

[@juana.evangelistal.1022]

ME PUEDE INDICAR DONDE IR A BUSCAR PIEZAS DE UNA LAVADORA A PRESION SUBARU 6.0 HP-SP-170, EN REPUBLICA DOMINICANA.

[@rohangolding3448]

ok i think I can pull mine now it park for a while i has to keep d choke on for it to run so im going to pull mine real soon

[@JohnODonovan1]

Subaru , the website does not seem to be active.

[@guillermo44]

can you show me how to remove choke lever off please thanks

[@eldigitom9680]

excellent video

[@Per409]

I can't stop the gas from pouring out after cleaning the carb, had it apart several times looking at the needle and seat, both are clean and no sign of pits,scratches or anything else. I used air to blow out the carb and wondered if there's an o-ring seal that goes in the needle seat?

[@1goldenson]

Perfekt it definitely sounds like you lost a ring somewhere or one just went bad when you were working on it. You ever figure it out?

[@dtv4me2]

Mine did that at first. I shut the fuel off or pinch off if no valve. Cleaned up the leaked fuel and fired it up to burn off the overflow..shut it down. I removed just the bowl with drain facing front and I think the way the bowl is stamped/shaped on my model and may have jammed or interfered with the needle valve and float movement. I verified free open and closing of needle valve by opening up the fuel flow while gently opening and closing the needle valve manually moving the float and if shut off and opened flow perfectly. I noticed the bowl shape and it fit nicely with the drain bolt facing me, or towards the air cleaner box. Turned on the fuel and no flood of gas. Fired it up and it ran with no flooding. However now it runs but surges/hunts via the govener. I did lose the tiny needle valve spring (and I did step on the tip and messed up the winding but managed to get it back to fitting over the needle valve) but forgot if the spring goes between the float and needle valve or between the top of the needle valve and the float. Which didnt seem right. I did turn the spring over and put the "repaired" end of the spring facing the float instead of facing the needle valve. Not sure if that is affecting the fuel level or if its even causing fuel level fluctiations. But it's running great despite a slight surging while under zero load. Put a load on it and its fine. P.S. Never removed and cleaned the idle jet, but I did clean it and made sure it was clean and free of debris. May have to go back in. Also used compressed air with the carb cleaner and you could get a big bass to hit it it was so shiny and glitters! May try some fuel cleaner/treatment to address the surging as another video had success with after 2 clean outs didnt fix his surge issue, but an unsponsored fuel treatment/carb or injector cleaner. I may try Lucas since it works well on my Yukon Vortec 5.7 just have to be careful on amount of additive since this little motor is so tiny 😁

[@Per409]

@@dtv4me2 I forget which carb this was on now but i believe it was the tecumseh,, I was expecting to pay 70 or 80 dollars for a new one and it cost ..... $8 new

[@Per409]

@@1goldenson no a new one was only 8 bucks

[@Kimbeattie]

Great video thanks i have a subaru generator

[@manolopapas]

Great video.

[@ajbrown2013]

Next time take an air hose into the gas tank cover the gas opening with a shop towel while the air hose is in the gas tank to keep gas from spraying out, and give it a quick blast of air a few times. I have done it several times and Walla fires right up every time!!!

[@pirihern9329]

Added to my 2006 subaru sti

[@nichols1948]

For $24.99 on Amazon/eBay, you can buy a new one and within 15 minutes, install it. Time, plus carb cleaner, it's cheaper to buy a new one.

[@quinnhunsinger1603]

id rather go through the work than buy a cheap replacement carb off amazon or eBay. The true Subaru full carb assembly is almost $200. There is a reason the $30-$50 carbs on eBay are so cheap. Maybe you've had good luck but there are tons of horror stories and complete fails with the cheap carbs. Not worth the risk if you rely on the engine to work in my opinion.

[@ScottT109]

convert to propane and never have a dirty carb again

[@murfan]

Why did you skip the assembly of the shut-off lever?

[@johnbalasa711]

I would like to know my self.

[@mnspeed1932]

Thank you!!

[@adambrecker2600]

Will this fit in my forester hahahaha replace it with a tiny engine

[@sixpents]

Adam Brecker I mean yes but you might get more out of your forester by cutting a hole through the floorboard and running.

[@mattalpha4704]

Thank you so much!!!

[@ГеоргиКръстев-у7ю]

EXCELLENT !!!

[@brentsrx7]

Can you start making engines again, please?

[@johnclarke6647]

You should have known you had spark after you sprayed starting fluid in the carb. My bet is a filthy carburator and or blocked fuel filter or both.

[@adambrecker2600]

It does not beat my Outback! SLOW!

[@billjoe415]

thanks

[@adambrecker2600]

These engines are leftover from the Tribecas that never sold.

[@blakelaperriere4586]

Great video, but wear some gloves!

[@bigguy6269]

bob anger is kinda hot right?