Pine-Sol Carb Soak

Stanton

501 Club
My 782 has a Kohler KT-17 Series II with Walbro fixed jet carb. Had dismantled and cleaned it, installed a new fuel pump and it seemed to run right a couple weekends ago. Tried starting it the next weekend and wouldn't start. Had installed a fuel shutoff downstream of the filter and before the pump, so to increase flow, removed it. Also removed the carb.

Dismantled the carb and soaked it in Pine-sol for 24 hours. Rinsed it with hot water and used compressed air to dry it out. Reassembled and installed, the engine turned over and ran great. Had heard of using Pine-sol on Cub carbs from Randall and a Cub Cadet forum. Nice that the Pine-sol is reusable and not as caustic as regular carb cleaner. A big 24 oz bottle set me back all of $3.00.

Have rebuilt a Cub hydraulic pump using the Pine-sol soak method as well. Will reinstall this week. Stay tuned...
 
That's good to know. I did a similar thing with my 682 Cub Cadet, same engine and carb. However, I disassembled the carb and soaked it in Acetone for 2 weeks. Not that the time meant anything, I just put it in there and didn't get back to it for 2 weeks. The good thing, the acetone took off all the paint and all the 30-yr old gunk inside the carb that looked like dried molasses. I reassembled the carb, put it back on the tractor, and it fired up and ran perfect.
 
Checked out the MSDS for Pine Sol and there doesn't seem to be anything harmful to gaskets, seals and O-rings. I have a Zenith that I need to clean up soon and I think I'll try this.
 
Pretty much. But if I remember correctly, not as affected as soaking it in bone-fide carb cleaner (i.e. Berryman's). It will take paint off as well.
 
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