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Have you taken a close look at your carburetor lately? Whether your car is a somewhat newer model or has seen many miles and years on the road, you might be surprised at just how much gunk is hiding in and around your carburetor. This central component under the hood may not be as popular or as common as modern fuel injectors, but carbs are still found in plenty of vehicles. Designed to control the flow of fuel as it moves to and through the engine, a carburetor plays a critical role in your car’s operation. And, as a result, it can get pretty dirty.

Dirt, unfortunately, can also cause your carburetor to fail. Over time, and with the flow of fuel, your carb can develop buildup and deposits that keep it from working properly. As a result, your fuel efficiency can drop — along with your engine’s performance. If you’re looking to keep fuel flowing easily and your engine in its best possible shape, try a carb cleaner. We have a selection of the best carburetor cleaners right here to make finding one simple.

WD-40 Specialist Fast-Acting Carb/Throttle Body & Parts Cleaner

Aerosolized and applicable to nearly any carburetor, WD-40’s fast-acting carb cleaner uses a solvent formula to break away stubborn carbon contaminants, leaving you with a clean carburetor.

CRC Carb & Choke Cleaner

CRC manufactures many potent cleaning solutions and the Carb & Choke Cleaner is no exception. An environmentally friendly and fast-acting formula puts this product on the top shelf.

Gumout Jet Spray Carb/Choke & Parts Cleaner

If you’re looking to unearth some horsepower beneath all those carbon deposits, the quick-drying formula from Gumout works fast to get your carb clean and back to working efficiently.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

If you live in California, you won’t have to worry about choosing between chlorinated and non-chlorinated carburetor cleaner because chlorinated variants are banned. This is likely due to the number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contained in chlorinated carburetor cleaners. Unfortunately, these same VOCs are what remove stubborn built-up contaminants found on your carburetor. Chlorinated carburetor cleaners are also non-flammable.

Considered the less-toxic alternative to chlorinated carburetor cleaners, non-chlorinated carb cleaners are more flammable. You should be able to find non-chlorinated carburetor cleaners at most auto parts stores across the nation. Non-chlorinated carburetor cleaner doesn’t dry as fast as chlorinated does, but it is safer to use on plastic components.

Most carburetor cleaners come in the form of a spray can or aerosol can. Unlike many cleaners, carburetor cleaner requires a bit of force to be most effective. It’s not the easiest thing to find a rag that will fit in the small openings of a carburetor, especially when left on the vehicle, so having both the liquid cleaner and the air to propel it makes the entire process more efficient.

Alternatively, you can also buy dipping cans filled with carburetor cleaner. They’re mostly designed for the auto enthusiast who has a lot of parts to clean. Geared more towards extensive long-term use, dipping cans full of carburetor cleaner soak the part versus spraying the cleaner into the tiny cracks and crevices. Dipping cans are not as popular as aerosol cans but they can be a handy alternative.  

Operating since 1941, Gumout is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company offers a variety of products for your vehicle, including this six pack of Carb/Choke & Parts Cleaner. If you’ve got yourself one dirty carburetor, a six-pack is the way to go.

Headquartered in North Carolina, Gunk has been in the car care business for over 60 years. Obsessed with cleaning, its lineup of products addresses everything from the engine bay to the interior of your vehicle. Check out both its Chlorinated and Non-Chlorinated Carburetor Cleaner if you don’t like any of our top picks.

Berryman Products recently celebrated 100 years of business. Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, Berryman offers products any auto enthusiast would love to stock in their garage. The Berryman B12 Chemtool Carburetor Choke & Throttle Body Cleaner is a great option for getting your carburetor going. 

No one wants to sit and scrub car parts for hours. Isn’t that why we created things like car washes and carburetor cleaner? The best carb cleaners should work quickly so that you can have more fun driving the car rather than cleaning all the individual components. Sometimes fast-acting cleaners need to be a bit potent, but they don’t always have to be.

Carburetor cleaners should also be effective. That doesn’t necessarily equate with fast-acting either. Effective carburetor cleaners remove contaminants the first time around. Depending on how dirty your carburetor is, you may need a few cans to get down to the bare metal, but each of those cans should pull its weight when it comes to removing stubborn contaminants to reveal the clean part beneath.

Carburetor part cleaners are good to have around in case you’re working on a project and don’t feel like running to the auto parts store. For that reason, carburetor cleaners should store well, whether you have to replace a cap or simply store in a climate-controlled area. Having a product that is one-time use only isn’t necessarily efficient or a good investment.

The best carburetor cleaners shouldn’t destroy the components near where the carb sits or even those within the carb that aren’t necessarily metal. It’s a good idea to keep carburetor cleaners away from painted sections of your vehicle, but the best cleaners make it so you don’t have to worry about that at all. Carburetor cleaners that are safe for most materials make the job much easier as you can focus on more important things. 

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The popular brand WD-40’s Fast-Acting Carb/Throttle Body Cleaner won our top pick for best carburetor cleaner. If you’re looking for a cleaner carburetor in just a few minutes, this product will make the most of a few minutes’ time. There’s no dipping or scrubbing involved. Best of all, the product comes in a handy spray can with a convenient replaceable lid, so you can keep on cleaning as the days go by.

There are many reasons why we chose WD-40’s carb cleaner as our top pick. Many people get confused and don’t always know the difference between throttle body and carburetor cleaner. With WD-40’s product, you don’t have to know the difference. In fact, you can use it on both types of components with similar results. The aerosol can comes in 13.5-ounce cans, which is more than enough for two or three carburetors/throttle bodies. The product is also fast-acting, so you won’t have to wait around for the parts to come clean.

The only drawback we could find on the WD-40 Fast-Acting Carb/Throttle Body & Parts Cleaner was the absence of a straw. The straw allows you to pinpoint the stream of cleaner to achieve better results. However, nearly anyone willing to learn a bit about carb cleaning can use this product with ease.

You’ve probably seen CRC’s products at your local auto parts store. It makes a variety of cleaners, including our value pick for the best carburetor cleaner. This aerosol can of carb cleaner comes with a storing cap in a 12-ounce can. Let’s take a closer look at the value you get when you purchase this product.

For those living in California, CRC is a carburetor cleaner you can easily buy. It’s VOC-compliant and won’t harm any oxygen sensors or catalytic converters it comes into contact with. The fast-acting cleaning action works quickly to remove stubborn contaminants, dissolving them to be easily washed off.

Not having a straw to attach to the nozzle of this product is one of the drawbacks. It’s also important not to use this product around painted areas, and also be careful of other materials besides unpainted metal. The cleaner could potentially damage these components. All the same, you can easily use CRC’s Carb & Choke Cleaner.

The easiest way to troubleshoot carburetor problems is to first clean the component, and Gumout’s Jet Spray Carb Cleaner gets the job done right. Proven to improve engine performance in terms of horsepower, fuel economy, and rough idling behavior, Gumout’s carb cleaner works quickly so you don’t have to spend all day in the garage.

Gumout made storage easy by fitting their carb cleaner with a replaceable cap that effectively seals the cleaner from escaping over time. The cap won’t get knocked out of place either, seeing as it’s the same shape as the can itself. Gumout’s Jet Spray cleaner begins to work immediately, dissolving carbon deposits before it dries clean moments later. That means you won’t have to scrub or wipe away nasty residue.

Our biggest concern with Gumout’s product is that it may not be safe to use on all types of materials. We suggest trying it on a test piece before going crazy spraying it in the engine bay. That being said, the product is straightforward and should give any carburetor a wake-up call your engine won’t soon forget. 

The Berryman 0996 Chem-Dip Carburetor Cleaner is a two-in-one product: it’s both a carburetor and transmission parts cleaner, and it’s VOC compliant. This sole cleaning solution is actually quite versatile too, as it works on most types of metals and alloys. It's also safe to apply on plastic, rubber, and many types of painted components. It effectively removes oil, grease, sludge, varnish, and more. It is non-chlorinated, nonflammable, and does not cause rusting.

This product does a good job of eliminating gunk and removing surface rust. When you use this cleaner, you do not have to incessantly scrape and scrub the parts or deal with noxious fumes generated by an aerosol carburetor cleaner.

One downside is you need to make sure the part you are cleaning can be submerged in the can because it has to soak for several hours to work properly. Also, if you want to do a deep cleaning, you have to soak the component for several hours. Some parts may need to soak overnight, depending on the material.

Super Tech Carburetor Cleaner will help your engine operate smoothly. Designed and formulated to tackle dirt, grime, and all different kinds of deposits, this cleaner will strip away whatever’s causing your engine to act sluggish or less than ideal. It can be used across the entire carburetor, tackling everything from sticky sludge to stuck-on varnish and more. It’ll also clean up the air intakes, PCV valves, automatic choke, and linked parts for well-rounded cleaning capability.

Once you apply this carb cleaner, it gets to work quickly. It dries fast so you can get back on the road in no time. And once it’s finished, it can actually improve your fuel efficiency and eliminate issues like hesitation or rough idling. 

Unlike many other carb cleaners, Super Tech’s aerosol is actually California-compliant. It doesn’t include the potentially harmful ingredients banned for sale in California. However, that does mean that this cleaner may not be as harsh or as capable as others that do include extra-powerful ingredients. 

The RSC Chemical Solutions Gunk Carburetor & Parts Cleaner removes carbon, grime deposits, grease, and oil. It has a drip basket inside the 96-ounce can and is ideal for cleaning small engine parts as well as other metal parts found in your garage or shop. The manufacturer notes that it is an environmentally-friendly product that is non-corrosive and non-chlorinated without ozone depleters.

The cleaner has a brightener that creates a factory-like appearance. The basket makes it easy for you to drop the carbs into the can and easily retrieve them, making it ideal for small carburetors. It also works quickly and doesn't discolor metal.

The biggest complaint about this product is it may get dented and distorted during shipping. Some have complained that the product was leaking when they received it and that it was packed improperly.

Gumout's Fuel Injector & Carburetor Cleaner prevents deposits from forming on carburetors, fuel injectors, intake valves, and ports. It's safe to use on turbocharged and supercharged vehicles and is oxygen sensor safe. The cleaner reduces emissions and will not void a factory warranty.  

When you add this product to the gas tank, your engine will run more smoothly. Many users have reported an uptick in fuel economy after using this cleaner. It also improves acceleration and makes the engine idle a little better. Overall, it does an efficient job of maintaining your engine.

There are little to no complaints about this fuel injector and carburetor cleaner. However, it may not fix a rough idle on all vehicles or boost gas mileage for all types of cars.

The 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner removes residue and cleans and lubricates carburetor assemblies and the throttle body. It has an ergonomic trigger for more control, and the nozzle design allows you to use the product when the can is upside down. It's designed to make vehicles run smoother and start more easily.

The product works as described, and according to several users it clears engine codes and increases fuel economy. It's a great cleaner if you want to fix fuel issues, and it's a lot less expensive compared to consulting a professional mechanic. You will notice an overall boost in your vehicle's performance after using this product.

One drawback is that the cleaner contains a high acetone concentration that can cloud plastic and paint. You need to wear solvent-resistant gloves when using this product if you plan on handling wet parts.

Looking for a carb cleaner with a different kind of formula? You’ll want to choose SQ Carburetor Cleaner, a non-chlorinated cleaning product with enough power to work as a degreaser too. Each 12.5-ounce can of this cleaner can tackle residue, sludge, grease, oil, and other kinds of dirt and built-up debris. 

SQ’s carb cleaner is made with a fast-drying, residue-free formula. It is highly flammable — so you should keep that in mind when storing and using — but it’s effective and powerful. It’ll clean up your carburetor and valves, with a low VOC content that totals less than 30 percent. You can even put this cleaner to use as an engine starter if needed, meaning it can provide increased versatility and more uses. 

This cleaner isn’t available everywhere, however. It cannot be sold in states like California, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Utah due to its VOC content. Though it’s low by normal standards, check to see if it’s available in your specific state.

Sea Foam Motor Treatment is an aerosol, spray-on carb cleaner that’ll tackle some of the toughest dirt and buildup. A single 16-ounce can of this product will get to work on your fuel injector or carburetor, cleaning up and clearing out passageways, intake valves, and chambers. It can get rid of deposits and restore stronger, more efficient engine performance — and bring back some of the power you’re lost. 

Sea Foam’s cleaner works to lubricate for improved performance too. It can lube up upper cylinders, and it can also clean up crankcase oil, liquefying residues and deposits that might be lurking. It’ll even stabilize gas or diesel fuel, which can help better your fuel efficiency. And this cleaner is suitable for use in all motor oils, both conventional and synthetic in their formulas. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a higher concentration of this cleaner if you’re dealing with particularly stubborn residue or dirt; you may need to add more on a more regular basis.

No. Rather than a carburetor, most modern cars are equipped with a throttle body and fuel injectors. These injectors typically sit above the engine and spray fuel in a predetermined amount. Carburetors, fuel injectors, and throttle bodies are all part of the vehicle's fuel system and have a hand in fuel efficiency. Rather than carburetor cleaner, modern cars use fuel injector cleaner instead, which goes into the gas tank.

Most auto enthusiasts have heard of Holley carburetors. Edelbrock is another well-known brand. There are a number of different carburetor manufacturers out there, each offering its own unique set of good and bad features. No matter what brand carburetor you buy or own, however, each of them will need to be cleaned at some point.

No, you don’t necessarily have to. It’s easier to direct the spray of your carburetor cleaner if you do take the carb out of the car, but it’s not a requirement. If you do leave the carburetor in the car, just make sure that you place rags around it to catch any runoff carburetor cleaner.

Generally speaking, you should clean your carburetor every time you change your oil. For most vehicles, that’s about every 3,000 miles. However, you may want to clean it more often if your car sits for long periods of time. If left alone, the contaminants sitting on the carburetor could potentially damage the metal and cause even more problems.  

Dirty carburetors are often the cause of rough idle, decreased horsepower, and any other symptoms relating to an engine that isn’t running as it should. There are a few key components that allow an engine to perform well. These include the correct air-fuel ratio, spark, and timing. Dirty carburetors affect the air-fuel ratio and can cause a number of issues to occur if left unchecked.

This is for using the carburetor cleaner in pinpointed areas where accuracy is necessary. For example, it’s best to use a straw when you’re cleaning the jets of the carburetor because you’ll be able to direct the stream of the cleaner into and through the jet hole easier.

Only in the fact that they are caustic cleaners, meant to remove carbon buildup. When cleaning the components of your vehicle’s engine, it’s best to always purchase and use the intended cleaner. That is, use throttle body cleaner for throttle bodies and carburetor cleaner for older engines equipped with carburetors.

Motorcycles, lawn mowers, and even airplanes have carburetors. Many small engines have carburetors because it's easier to control the flow of fuel than it is with a fuel injection system.

We chose the WD-40 Specialist Fast-Acting Carb/Throttle Body & Parts Cleaner as our top pick for best carburetor cleaner because of the fast-acting formula that cuts down on carbon contaminants quickly so you can get back on the road.

 The CRC Carb & Choke Cleaner is another great alternative if you’re working on a budget.

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