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Blocked carb air jets

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 2:09 pm
by Sean Miller
HI everyone got a bit of a problem in that the the air jets for the mains circuit on the LH and centre carbs on my KH500 are blocked. The RH one is ok and the pilot air jets are fine. Ive tried multiple squirts of brake cleaner, 5A fuse wire etc but getting nowhere. They seem to be blocked solid. Has anyone got any ideas? Not sure how much difference these air bleeds make to the needle and mains circuits as the bike runs okish but does run rich in the mid range which might be because of these jets being blocked? Cheers Sean

Re: Blocked carb air jets

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 2:43 pm
by skub
Ultrasonic cleaner?

If any of your mates play guitar,a piece of the top E string is good for poking small holes.

Be careful though,you can do damage and cause running problems.

Re: Blocked carb air jets

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 8:46 pm
by robh1f
Ultrasonic cleaner....£20 off eBay. Fill with warm water and a splash of fairy......might as well do the carb bowls and floats etc ....or do a whole carb stripped down one at a time while they are off.....you will be amazed at the crud that comes out. Do each one for 30 mins and change water and fairy after each one Thumbs Up

Re: Blocked carb air jets

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2025 8:01 am
by Wolfie
I presume you're meaning the Bleed Jet in the mouth of the carb, firstly are you sure they are blocked?

WhatsApp Image 2025-11-25 at 10.10.05_00bcac77.jpg
Blowing them through doesn't always blow any fuel out of the back of the Jet and even poking them doesn't always shift it, and it just looks blocked even though it isn't.

Before you do ANY poking, read this..



viewtopic.php?t=22186

And also the (Wolfie) Carb parts of this thread...

viewtopic.php?p=185021

Re: Blocked carb air jets

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2025 8:14 pm
by Doctorpayday
Hi

All off the above and if it helps one strand from a bicycle brake cable is useful. Check if hole is clear by inserting the long red nozzle from a tin of wd40, which fits nicely into the casting and give it a squirt. If all has gone well, witness the spray exiting the bleed hole into the carb. If not retry with the cable strand, if you can find it. Ha

Doc