Is there any danger in doing either of the following on an 02 Recon?

1. Use automotive carb cleaner spray, disconnect fuel line into carb and spray in carb cleaner then drain through drain tube?

2. Use a mix of automotive type carb cleaner/gas in the fuel tank and let it clean it while I ride?

If either/both of these are safe to do please let me know what brands/methods you prefer.

I am trying to clean the carb without removing first to see if it solves my problem. If these don't work I guess I will be disassemling the carb.

Thanks!

 

Almost certainly won't hurt your carb to try, if it is truly varnished tho neither will likely help. Gasoline itself is a pretty strong solvent, sometimes just riding a bit and getting it good and hot will open up jets. If gas has been in your carb long enough to actually precipitate a varnish, even aerosol carb cleaner won't do a very good job. You really need a good "soak type cleaner" to remove it. I use a product called Hydrosolv II, available in gallon containers at auto parts stores. Follow it with spray type carb cleaner and compressed air. It does a great job and it won't damage plastic or viton tipped float needles.

 

Since your Recon is an 02, your carb probably doesn't have varnish in it yet. If you haven't ridden in a while, your gas can go stale... i.e. the more volatile portions have evaporated, making the Recon harder to start. ( Notice how much trouble your lawn mower is to start in the spring?) If you have old gas in your ATV, drain it out and put it in your truck or auto. Don't forget to drain the old gas out of the carb bowl. Don't take the carb apart until you have first blown it out with carb cleaner, including the float bowl. I like Gumout the best, but I usually use Walmart's brand, it's 1/3 the price. In a pinch you can use WD40, it works, but not quite as well (quickly) as the carb cleaners.