Must-Have Tools For Carburetor Repairs & Rebuilds!

Having the right tools when repairing carburetors can make the difference between success and failure. Regardless of the model and manufacturer of the carburetor, the engine - be it Stihl, Honda, Husqvarna, Echo, or even the type of machine - chainsaws, lawn mowers, weed eaters, or leaf blowers - the right tools will significantly improve your success rate.
Today I’ll show you some essential tools you must have to service and repair your carburetors at home, and they’re easily accessible and very affordable too.
I will also demonstrate how to make a very useful service tool, right from Stihl's Gold Standard manual, so you can get your carburetors back up and running like they should.
CARBURETOR TUNING VIDEO: • STIHL’S OFFICIAL 2 STR...
CARBURETOR TOOL KITS:
Zama Kit - amzn.to/4cWhhnr
Walbro Kit - amzn.to/3vQvS3b
PRESSURE & VACUUM PUMPS
A budget friendly option - amzn.to/3Q6C1ix
Mityvac (The one I use) - amzn.to/3vysI3V
TOOLS I USE:
Engine Tachometer - amzn.to/3TE48GZ
Mityvac Pressure & Vacuum Tester - amzn.to/3vysI3V
Gasket Maker - amzn.to/4bIiygR
Vessel Screw Drivers - amzn.to/3ISewG2
Brass Hammer: amzn.to/3xkyuH6
Stanley Stump Vice - amzn.to/3waHuOw
Stens 750-120 Carburetor Adjustment Tools- amzn.to/4atkBV5
Powerbuilt- backtap - amzn.to/49I9305
Forceps - amzn.to/4a2ud9v
Zoom Oil Bottles - amzn.to/3TWZV2t
Mityvac Compression Tester - amzn.to/4aimaFS
Bondhus Hex Keys - amzn.to/3J2m8FL
Klein MM400 multimeter - amzn.to/3PI3Y02
Stahlwille Combination Spanners - amzn.to/3IY6fQI
Milwaukee 12v Impact Driver - amzn.to/3VEuxH4
Milwaukee 12v Impact Wrench - amzn.to/4aPESVd
Milwaukee 12v 90 degree Grinder - amzn.to/4czLiJp
No-spill gas can - amzn.to/3TDfWcb
Any links to products are likely to affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases with no additional costs to you. Thank you!
00:00 Essential tools to repair carburetors
00:50 How a carburetor works
01:11 Make a Stihl carburetor repair tool
02:00 How to test a carburetor for leaks
02:57 Testing the main nozzle check valve for leaks
03:40 Testing the low speed passages in a carburetor
04:52 How to clean a carburetor
05:20 Carburetor service & repair tool kit
05:32 How to remove the check vales in a carburetor
07:15 How to install a main nozzle check valve
08:00 How to tune a carburetor
#carburetor #mechanic #tools #stihl #enginerepair #diy #husqvarna

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

If this video helped you, please consider clicking on the THANKS button above to support my channel 🙌 and don’t miss this video on how to tune a carburetor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6rRmHeilJeeo5I

[@monkeywentbananas]

First KZbin video I have ever seen that goes into detail of how to replace and repair those check valves! Great information!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@obbiebeal3060]

10,000 TIMES thank you. From West Africa in the bush.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Awesome mate! You’re welcome :)

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

Great info Tom. You are the only person on the entire planet who can do a good technical video that is easy to follow... on a stump. 🤣😁👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hahaha thanks mate 🤣👍👍

[@haneyoakie14]

Tom has a stump so that we are not stumped working on the two stroke carburetor.

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

@@haneyoakie14 I just love the stump. Tom is the only person I know working off the bench that knows what he is talking about. 👍

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

@@haneyoakie14 You are bringing your 'A' game today! 😁

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

🤣👍

[@hester781]

I feel videos like these are 10% information, and 90% how it’s delivered to the audience. And you absolutely blew this one out of the park! I’ve never seen this way of testing and yet I was able to follow you and see/understand exactly what you were doing! I can’t wait to try this method out myself, well done Tom 👍🏻

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@haneyoakie14]

I can’t bring you a cup of coffee, but I will buy you one. Always top quality content and well worth watching. Repeatedly when necessary.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Ah bless you mate!!! That’s such a cool gesture! Thank you :)

[@haneyoakie14]

@@VintageEngineRepairs Tom, your information is well presented and clear. I can tell you put hours into each video to get it just right. We all appreciate you. Keep up the good work!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you :) I appreciate it a lot!!

[@juanvera182]

Great video, very informative. Most people do not have the luxury to throw away a piece of equipment. Thank you from Puerto Rico for helping many people to repair our stuff. I have one question. In the video you place a small amount of fuel on the carburetor from a brass nozzle that I assume is from a squirt bottle. Are they available on Amazon or where can I get one. Keep up the great work mate.

[@RelicToWreck]

Some brilliant advice here. Your videos have proven to be very informative. Thank you.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!!

[@Big_Johns]

Thanks for the video Tom, very informative.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks John!

[@spelunkerd]

Your channel is unparalleled, and will be a reference for decades. I'd love to see more of these, with more details of how these actually work. For such a tiny cube, they are amazingly complex.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you :) that’s great to hear!

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

Thank you for this info, many out there even seasoned mechanics would have not known these small details.🐞

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re quite right :) we’re in a throw away society now days!

[@mikem5475]

Amazing video. We need more pioneers like this

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you mate I really appreciate it!

[@TheGreasyShopRag]

You've put together a great video Tom. Doing it on a stump is a nice touch!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you mate :) much appreciated!

[@plupyduplupydu1369]

Wow man you live in a different place in the world. Ive messed with dozens of small carbs. My parts guys would call me stuipid trying to find that kit. When a small engine has weak compression, a new carb( carbs also physically wear) is less expensive than a new machine for awhile. Ive never seen internal carb leaks, before the engine looses compression. Very good show-thank you

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for watching!

[@marknicholson2718]

Another awesome to the point video! Thank you!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome, thank you!

[@beingthere597]

I've rebuilt many of this type of carburetor but have never seen this information before! This is the best information and presentation on a small engine video that I have seen in a very long time. Brilliant! Every small engine mechanic or hobbyist should watch this!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you! I really appreciate it :)

[@johnkoury1116]

Awesome!!! Thank you!!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome!

[@ProSaw70]

Another great video Tom. 👍🏻

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks mate 👍👍

[@clintstevenson1214]

Amazing! Thanks for supporting repair and reuse Tom.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you Clint!!

[@Nick41622]

I always repaired my carburetor's with basic tools, an air compressor is a must.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Be careful which hole you spray the air into!

[@Nick41622]

@@VintageEngineRepairs I'm always careful. Never had any problems.

[@LewisMowersandBoats]

Fantastic video brother Tom thanks for sharing buddy 👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it!!

[@russmontiethii863]

Great video, thanks for the info!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!

[@almclean4835]

Great info Tom

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you Al!

[@oliverfarrelly7091]

Great video and channel. I only found this channel a few days ago, oh how i wish i found it a lot sooner 👍🏻👌🏻

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@barryewalt3250]

Well done as usual Tom.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you Barry!

[@petefroud5308]

Good info Tom.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Pete!

[@eidodoos]

amazing video as always

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you :)

[@drmikeyb1]

What I wouldn't give to have a chance to spend a couple of weeks with you training on these units. I'm a 57 yo old disabled vet trying to learn the trade but it's very frustrating when I can't diagnose something immediately. I realize I way overthink things but that's just me. Thank you for a fantastic video sir

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you for the kind words! You can always reach out to ask me questions :) happy to help where I can!!

[@crossholy12]

thanx so much. I'm fall in love with u r info.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoy my content!

[@crossholy12]

Will u tell me stihl 261's carb. It has a hole in the metering pump side cover. What is it for?it's end is blocked. Its start is connect to metering pumpbhole. ​@@VintageEngineRepairs

[@OliverDiGeronimo009]

Very nice! Australians are great at KZbin! There is Garn, Superwog, Ozzie Man Reviews, Vintage Engine Repairs, and so many more. Im 14 and will 100% be using some of these tips once I get all of stuff for my MS 200t build that I will also make some vids about. Cheers!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks! I’m actually English, I just live out here :) lots of great channels from Aussi’s though!

[@metal422life]

Yeah I only ever have to use a Phillips screwdriver usually a P2 sometimes a P1 every now and again using a flat head, usually a pair of needle-nose pliers to get maybe the gas line off if it's not coming off easily, and usually a pair of fine tip tweezers and then a small stainless steel bowl to set everything in a stainless steel bowl. normally just take the whole thing apart and then use a can of carburetor cleaner with the red tube the red tube is the most necessary thing with a can of carb cleaner. And then I will just spray everything nice and clean spray through every last thing that looks like a hole and being sure to notice if it's actually spring through the hole or if it's just possibly a screw hole and it's just back spraying on me and then just after spraying it all down making sure that it's spotless putting it back together the same way that it got taken apart and spraying down as I go making sure not one bit of dirt gets into the thing and and so far I've probably done a good two or three hundred Carburetors in my life and I've never had to go through the extremes that you're showing in this video

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

They’re service parts, they need to be changed when they fail. Thanks for watching.

[@tomasznumrych7187]

That's a handy little stump vice. Got a link to that as well?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey, sure! amzn.to/3waHuOw

[@colfergusson4242]

Yom brillant content for those of us that want to repair their tool.when things go wrong, especially in this throw away world! Out of curiosity the drill bit in the tool kit what size is it! Btw sourced my no spill fuel.can awesome 👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey! Glad you enjoyed it!! I’ll have to double check, I’m not even sure they say on them the size!!

[@bushratbeachbum]

Can you recommend anywhere other than dealers (so probably online) to order parts from? Im looking for a bulk load (say 20) of float needles for gx160 type engines with mostly Keihin BE65QA carbs or similar. Some Chonda, some original. Excellent videos mate. Really appreciate them. Been working on all types of engines all my life and still learning, thankfully!! There's always room for more knowledge! Cheers dude!!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey mate :) yes, dealers are your best bet. I have had great success with aftermarket carb kits, but I’d not buy complete aftermarket carbs.

[@xx3868]

The fuel tank is below the carb or yes gravity could leak through those two pump flaps as gravity draws fuel down . i understand all about the ventura and the diff pressures along the throat (as a pilot training engines, carbs, suctions for instruments and "static port" ) SO why does the 4 stroke make this carb work without pulse but the 2 stroke needs the pulse hole to work those flaps or leak past them if a suction is produced ? Seems both intakes make a vacuum. I have worked on many of diff carbs cleaning rekitting and even trying diff metering springs to get the right "pop off" pressures and right amount of fuel in that little bowl for high power but not too much for idle or it will flood. So assume i understand about the diff sections of the carbs and bleeds and idle lines and main jets and check valves ect.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Because I don’t know what machine it’s off and what that carburetor is I can’t really help, but send some pictures of the machine and carburetor to my email and I’ll explain it to you [e-mail]

[@xx3868]

@@VintageEngineRepairs Its a yard king 4 stroke 24.5cc with fuel tank under and i just found out as i suspected that the 2 stroke draw with or without the reed is LESS than the heavy 4 stroke suction and thus this will produce enough suction through that main jet tube and down into the body where the pump gasket is and draw fuel through them and all good. I can see when i pull the rope the fuel going up the fuel line but with no pulse hole on the carb or engine manifold. Theres no other holes in the throat of a Var jet Venuri so thats only way it can make suction down into the carb and enough to draw fuel in but the 2 stroke "intake" suction can manage this and needs that pulse port to work those 2 flaps.

[@michaelring2028]

I have a question about the Tachometer you link to. My instructions say to hold the set button to toggle to the correct engine mode, but it's not clear what those are. Do you know the Set number for 2 stroke 1 cylinder and 4 stroke 1 cylinder? Thanks, Mike

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey Mike! Yes :) you need the 2:1 4:2 setting

[@michaelring2028]

@@VintageEngineRepairs Great. Thanks.

[@xx3868]

Hi, Why can you use a 2 stoke carb like a walbro or var jet type WXY? on a 4 stroke with the pump diaphragm installed BUT no impulse input?? It WORKS of course but seems both engines produce suction through their fuel/air ports BUT the 2 stroke wont work if you blank off the pulse port. I can only guess that the 4 stoke produces strong input suction? and this draws up on the main jet producing a vac inside the carb and the little pump valves then draw fuel through? So whats special about inlet valve suction on a 4 stoke compared to the 2 stroke suction? why doesant that do same effect or is it timing or volume and thus needs a extra pulse port? I only seen this on a Var jet so will it only work with this type as it has a long plastic tube and cut to let the fuel out and this provides a strong suction down into the carb but needs the impulse port hole built in for 2 strokes? The Var jet that came with the 4 stoke does NOT have a port hole and of course neither does the inlet port for the 4 stroke inlet either. For a test, I also grabbed another Var jet 2 stroke with a carb pulse hole and put it on the 4 stroke manifold which blanks off that pulse hole and it still worked! so that 4 stroke inlet suction is diff from 2 stroke inlet suction somehow?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey, if the 4 stroke carb doesn’t have an impulse and fuel pump then it’s gravity fed, the tank will be above the carburetor :) some 4 strokes have a fuel pump but that requires a small spring in the fuel pump side of the carby to oppose the vacuum pulse (no pressure pulse in a 4t crankcase due to pcv valve. I think you’re getting confused about pumping the fuel and the venturi effect too. The fuel pump doesn’t squirt fuel into the throat of the carb - it’s a pressure differential that is created and fuel is drawn out. If you place a straw in water and you spray your air compressor nozzle right over it at 90 degrees you’ll see exactly how l a carburetor works.

[@k6ul]

What’s the little brass fuel bottle you are using?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

It’s a pressol oil bottle, they’ve become stupidly expensive now, not worth it. The zoom oil bottles are what I’d suggest getting… amzn.to/3TWZV2t

[@k6ul]

Ah yah. They have. Thanks for reply.

[@socalRooster]

Never I mean Never have I seen such in-depth information on these small carburetors..I have a clamp light that but not the foam to seal..humm🤔

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@l3git_098]

Hey Tom got a question for you. Is it possible for a check valve to pass the tests and still fail intermittently when running the unit? If I adjust the carburetor everything runs fine and 20 minutes later when I restart, it sputters and needs to be readjusted. Already pressure and vacuum tested the engine.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Check valves can seal intermittently, yes :)

[@l3git_098]

@VintageEngineRepairs Thank you my good sir!

[@JakePlisskin12]

Ugh i thought carborators were just change the diaphragms and clean out. Now wonder why i can ever seem to get any old saw running right. And now wonder they put those little discs in the kit. Haha. Ugh. Im gonna have to watch this video many times.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Haha there is a lot to them isn’t there 🤣

[@glynrogers1018]

Hi i am in uk i have a stihl fs 56 r strimmer carburetor leaking fuel in to air filter will not run carburetor zama s145a839a may be a cheap carb need strimmer not worth much regards

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey, sounds like your needle is leaking letting the fuel flow out of the drillings :) pressurise the fuel line (you take the filter off) and pressurise it to 7psi. It should hold, yours likely won’t.

[@user-cn3vg3hj2b]

cuándo mibonba dé purga se llena qué problema está ocasionando eso en el carburador por qué mi bomba de cebado se llena cada vez que bombeo

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey! That’s good that it fills up haha :)

[@user-cn3vg3hj2b]

Se llena bien llena no es ningún problema no tiene que estar nada más a la mitad eso es normal maestro​@@VintageEngineRepairs

[@Andreasporsche]

💯☝🤝👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!

[@louiegarcia7527]

dizzying

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for watching

[@mikem5475]

No

[@Billy-burner]

Think I'd rather just buy a new carb 😅😅

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Nooo lol don’t be a parts swapper :)

[@mikem5475]

Defeatist

[@trajonduclos7931]

You VASTLY underestimate the value of my time, sir. First time my saw doesn't operate at 100%, the very moment that I need it to, STRAIGHT IN THE BIN!! Absolutely no tolerance for fiddling about with rubbish that fails and let's me down.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for watching

[@bushratbeachbum]

Hahahahahahahahahaha. Wow. You seem to think that you're a lot more important than you ever will be. I have no idea who you are or what you do to think that, but your comment says a lot about you. The world needs less people like you and more people like the fella in the video.