Carburetor Parts Cleaner: Uses and What to Buy
Carburetor parts cleaner removes gum, varnish and dirt from carburetors, chokes and throttle bodies, and this guide covers what it cleans and which spray suits the job.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Berryman B-12 Carburetor Cleaner9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Johnsen's 4641 VOC Compliant Carburetor Cleaner9.5/10View on Amazon - 3
Gumout 800002231 Carb/Choke Carburetor Cleaner9.5/10View on Amazon - 4
SQ Carburetor Cleaner (6)9.4/10View on Amazon
Carburetor parts cleaner is a spray that dissolves gum, varnish, sludge and dirt from carburetor parts, choke valves and throttle bodies, so a rough idle or hard start caused by deposits can clear. The Berryman spray in this guide states its formula cleans without disassembly. The right cleaner for the job depends on what it needs to dissolve and where it needs to reach, and the 4 picks below cover the sprays in this guide.
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Below: what carburetor parts cleaner dissolves, how the 4 sprays compare, and a checklist to run before you spray.
Berryman B-12 Carburetor Cleaner
A 16 oz spray, sold as a pack of 12, that deep-cleans carburetor and throttle parts and works without disassembly.
Pros
- Cleans gum, varnish, sludge and carbon deposits
- Safe for oxygen sensors and catalytic converters
- Fast-drying, no-residue formula
- Works without disassembly: spray and go
Cons
- 16 oz pack of 12 is more than an occasional user needs
- 1.0 pounds per can, heavier than the 0.625 pound Johnsen's can
- No stated warranty term
- Pack of 12 needs storage space in a home garage
Johnsen's 4641 VOC Compliant Carburetor Cleaner
A 10 oz VOC compliant spray that removes varnish, sludge and deposits from the carburetor, linkage, PCV valves, choke and air intake.
Pros
- VOC compliant formula
- Cleans carburetor, linkage, PCV valves, choke and air intake
- 10 oz can suits occasional use
- Light at 0.625 pounds
Cons
- 10 oz is the smallest spray in this guide
- No sensor safety stated
- Sold as a Pack of 1, with no larger pack stated
- Only for sale in areas that do not regulate VOC content
Gumout 800002231 Carb/Choke Carburetor Cleaner
A 14 oz spray that cleans gum, varnish and dirt inside and outside the carburetor chamber and helps hard starting, rough idling and stalling.
Pros
- Cleans gum, varnish and dirt inside and outside the chamber
- Helps hard starting, rough idling and stalling
- Quick drying on unpainted metal parts
- Aims to improve engine performance and fuel economy
Cons
- No sensor safety stated
- Sold as a Pack of 1, with no larger pack stated
- Stated for unpainted metal parts, so painted surfaces need care
- Throttle body cleaning is not stated, unlike the Berryman spray
SQ Carburetor Cleaner (6)
A 12.5 oz non-chlorinated carburetor cleaner for the basic cleaning step on carburetor parts.
Pros
- Non-chlorinated formula
- 12.5 oz size between the 10 oz and 14 oz sprays
- Flammable warning stated plainly for safe handling
- 12.5 oz size suits an occasional cleaning job
Cons
- No stated cleaning targets beyond the carburetor itself
- Flammable, so it needs care around flame
- Not for sale in CA, CO, CT, DE, MD, MI, NH, NY, OH, RI and parts of UT
- No stated warranty term
Carburetor parts cleaner: what it cleans
A carburetor parts cleaner dissolves the deposits that build up where fuel and air mix. The Gumout spray lists gum, varnish and dirt inside and outside the carburetor chamber. The Berryman spray lists gum, varnish, sludge and carbon deposits from carburetors, chokes and throttle bodies. The Johnsen’s spray lists varnish, sludge and other deposits from the carburetor, linkage, PCV valves, automatic choke and air intake.
Deposits show up as hard starting, rough idling and stalling, which the Gumout and Berryman listings name. Cleaning restores airflow and engine performance, in the words of the Berryman listing, and helps fuel economy, in the words of the Gumout listing.
The gear: carburetor parts cleaner picks
The sprays below handle the cleaning step: each one dissolves deposits from carburetor parts, and the differences are size, formula and what each listing states about sensors and safety.
How to use carburetor parts cleaner
The Berryman listing states its formula works without disassembly: spray and go, with a fast-drying, no-residue finish. The Gumout listing states its spray cleans inside and outside the carburetor chamber and is quick drying. The SQ listing states its cleaner is flammable and non-chlorinated, and lists states where it is not for sale.
Check the label for sensor safety: the Berryman listing states its formula is safe for oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. The SQ listing states its cleaner is flammable, so keep the spray away from flame and follow the label.
What size carburetor parts cleaner to buy
The sprays in this guide are 10 oz, 12.5 oz, 14 oz and 16 oz. The Berryman spray is a 16 oz pack of 12, which suits repeated use, while the Johnsen’s spray is a 10 oz can for an occasional cleaning job. The SQ spray is 12.5 oz and the Gumout spray is 14 oz; the Gumout spray is sold as a Pack of 1.
Read the manual before first use, wear eye protection, keep the work area clear and ventilated, and stay within every stated rating. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
What does carburetor parts cleaner clean?
Gum, varnish, sludge, dirt and carbon deposits from carburetors, chokes, throttle bodies, linkage, PCV valves and air intake, as the listings in this guide state.
Is carburetor parts cleaner safe for oxygen sensors?
The Berryman listing states its formula is safe for oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. The other listings in this guide do not state sensor safety, so check the label before spraying near sensors.
Can I use carburetor parts cleaner without taking the carburetor apart?
The Berryman listing states its formula cleans without disassembly: spray and go. The other listings do not state whether disassembly is needed.
Is carburetor parts cleaner flammable?
The SQ listing states its cleaner is flammable. Keep the SQ spray away from flame and follow the label.
Where is carburetor parts cleaner not sold?
The SQ listing states its cleaner is not for sale in CA, CO, CT, DE, MD, MI, NH, NY, OH and RI, and parts of UT. The other listings do not state sales limits.
What size carburetor parts cleaner should I buy?
The sprays in this guide are 10 oz, 12.5 oz, 14 oz and 16 oz. The Berryman spray is a 16 oz pack of 12, which suits repeated use; a 10 oz can suits an occasional cleaning job.
Related: carb cleaner vs throttle body cleaner, the best carburetor cleaner kit with case and the best throttle body cleaner. Also see engine flush vs fuel system cleaner.
