Unfortunately, I can't recommend a carb cleaner, although I've used a few. I have a 4-stroke petrol generator – needed because the mains supply is vulnerable here in rural NZ. In the past, every time it was needed, or even tested, the wretched thing would not start, or wouldn't run cleanly until I had taken off the carb and removed and cleaned the jets. The trouble seemed to be salt formation on/in the brass (?) jets, which was not touched by carb cleaners. There was also gum and 'varnish' in the float chamber, which any tried carb cleaner dissolved.
This jet corrosion is the result of water in the fuel. It's a much greater problem now that there is alcohol in fuel. Thankfully, there is one (but only one) fuel mix, available in NZ, (NPD 100+), that is alcohol-free. I now use this in all my small engines that are intermittently used, and have had no similar problems. That's tempting fate, isn't it?
Does anyone know whether – and how – fuel 'stabilizers' work?
Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 21/06/2023 23:10:55