I think I win dummy of the year award! Q-Tip head stuck in carb port...

[thetered]

I was rebuilding my carb from my 94 SPi and had the brilliant idea to use a q-tip on the two brass fuel ports. First one worked fine, second one the head came off inside the carb and I am so far unable to pull it out.

So if anyone has any suggestions to get it out, I am all ears! But really I'm curious if you can pull those brass fittings out, I don't know if they screw in or if they are pressed, or if it is feasible to remove them and safely get them back in?

I'm still kicking myself....

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Don't try pulling those brass barbs out, you might ruin the thing(I wouldn't do try it). You need compressed air to blow the cotton out from the inside back out the way it came in. Or, some thin tweezers might reach in there.

Don't do that anymore, you might bust an ear drum or put an eye out! Just use carb cleaner, and if that's not good enough then put the thing in an ultrasonic cleaner, the way many pros do. Also, your autoparts store has a can of carb dip, but don't leave it in there too long or you'll have a gelatinous noodle instead of a carb.

What I mean is, it's not a great idea to use cotton swabs, there's a risk they will leave cotton fibers in there to clog things up.

 

[jammin777]

try using a small mechanics pick. they look like an ice pick but smaller. you can get them as a 4 pack at an auto parts store that have different angled tips and dig it out. should be easy. or try using a small drill bit and twist it to snag the cotton and pull it out.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Paper clip. Straighten it out. Cut it off right past one of the bends. It will act as a small hook

Maybe a small drill bit. Thread it into the Q-tip. Might be able to pull it out.

Tooth pick with some glue, let the glue dry and stick well to the Q-tip, then pull it out.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... you got it stuck in the wrong side. That is the return, and has a VERY small port... so compressed air won't work.

I would spray carb cleaner in from the carb side, to soften any tempo goo... and use a very small pick to dig it out.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Yeah, I wasn't sure if the fuel return restriction orifice was in the carb, or external. Might be best to reach up in there with a hooky-doo and yank that cotton out of there.

Stop using cotton, unless you're really careful it's gonna plug things up if you don't get all the fibers out..... Just hose the goo out with carb or brake cleaner and look inside to see if there's still stuff in there, you might need up to a couple cans of carb solvent.

But that tube you're working on, if Doc is right, might seem plugged but it could be a small orifice for the return fuel so don't go drilling it out thinking it's plugged, there are small internal fuel return orifices in some these carbs so you need to be aware of this.

 

[thetered]

First off, thanks for all the suggestions! Secondly, I learned my lesson and will not do this again!

Yes, I quickly realized I got it stuck in the worst of the two ports because of the small hole. I tried using a stiff sewing needle with a little bend in the end to hook it out with no luck. The drill bit seemed like a great idea and I can feel it catching, but it doesn't provide enough force to actually get it back through the "tube".

I like the glue idea, I didn't think of that, I'm gonna look for some elmers and a toothpick now. It's gotta be easier to dissolve and clean out the extra glue than this cotton!

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

I would use super glue, not elmers

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I was going to suggest a small amount of super glue as well, or something else sticky that can be removed with carb cleaner if necessary, such as a tarry substance.

 

[thetered]

Super glue and toothpick WINS! It ripped it out in 3 chunks, but it finally got it. I don't know if I would have ever thought of trying glue so I am so glad it was suggested here. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

Now I can get back on track cleaning this thing.... without q-tips....

 

[pjbrat]

ohh dont kick yourself! Im sure you are not only person to do that and your saga continues,,,,

 

[RodInEscondido]

Good you got it out. I was going to suggest using a real fine screw like you would need to go to a specialty store supplying stuff for building small wood things like clocks, jewelry boxes, etc

Rod