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Written by MShively MShively
Parent Category: Articles Articles
Category: Technical tips Technical tips

Gasoline goes bad with time and begins in as little as 3-4 weeks. This effect is known as varnishing. Jets and passageways within carbs become obstructed when varnishing occurs. 

Liquid gasoline changes chemically into a gel like substance. Advanced stages of varnishing results with the solid gel changing into a crystal powder substance. Interior carb surfaces are etched in the process and may require carb replacement.

The choke and pilot circuits with most motorcycle carburetors share passageways. When pilot jets become obstructed, the choke circuit compensates and allows engine to start and idle with choke, but stalls without choke.

See my tech files “Carb Cleaning 101 & 102” for details on repairing this common problem.