How to store a carburetor

doug.nichols

Senior Member
I have ordered a replacement block and will be pulling my existing engine in preparation for delivery of the new unit. What is the best way to store the carburetor for a couple of months so it doesn't get fouled or rusty?

Thanks
 
i don't do anything to a carburetor to store them. Some sit for years or decades. Try to run it dry if you can or empty it before putting it up. A couple months shouldn't be an issue.
 
Drain all of the fuel and put it in a plastic bag. Store it in a climate controlled area. I would also let any remaining fuel evaporate before bagging it.
 
Thanks Rotor. Sounds like a good plan.

If you have much experience … with unused carbs/ ‘stored’,
You will find that a rebuild kit is recommended , after they dry out, etc.
to each his own, but I find that the $ item is the PUMP. It will DRY up and that is where the problem comes when trying to reintroduce to service.
I’ve found that several drops of sewing machine oil on the pump material AND coat pump well makes all the difference.
 
Many of us store our vehicles over the winter for 6 months and do nothing other than add fuel stabilizer or Seafoam.
 
In aviation there is short term storage and long term storage. Short term doesn't take corrosive affects seriously where as long term does. Light oil was used to fill sealed components to minimize corrosive affects. Par-Al-Ketone or cosmoline are external long term coatings to prevent corrosion. Long term storage is any item that may be stored for more than 60-days where climate control is optional.

LPS-3 is an alternative to cosmoline but all of this stuff is messy and difficult to clean off.
 
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WD-40 is a solvent that absorbs moisture. That's where the "water displacer" or WD for short comes in. The problem with WD-40 is that it evaporates rapidly and has no real lubricant quality in its make up. It would be good for very short term storage.
 
WD-40 is a solvent that absorbs moisture. That's where the "water displacer" or WD for short comes in. The problem with WD-40 is that it evaporates rapidly and has no real lubricant quality in its make up. It would be good for very short term storage.

The cardboard box helps retard evaporation. I seal it good, with shipping tape.
 
I just put mine in a container with a top - like a dry wall pail and submerged it with kerosene. Do not know about very long term but it was good to go after a couple years.

John
 
Thats a lot of work/time. Don't let my carburetors know all this. They'll have a revolt. I've only got about 30. Most are AVSs.
 
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