81 Civic Carb repair question

[paullybux]

I have an 81 Civic. My mechanic told me that in order for the car to pass California smog inspection, the carburator has to be removed so carbon deposits can be cleaned out underneath. The problem is that all the hoses and lines going into the carb are original equipment and she feels that when they are disconnected they will all have to be replaced. I'd rather do the work myself then pay her over $600 to do it. Is there a source for a good walk-thru on how to do this? I'm not stupid, but I'm not an amazing mechanic either. Is this something the average person could do? How long will it take? How much would it be likely to cost for parts?
I realize this is probably a pretty pedestrian (pun intentional) question for this forum, but any thoughts or help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[Smoghog]

Originally Posted by paullybux

I have an 81 Civic. My mechanic told me that in order for the car to pass California smog inspection, the carburator has to be removed so carbon deposits can be cleaned out underneath. The problem is that all the hoses and lines going into the carb are original equipment and she feels that when they are disconnected they will all have to be replaced. I'd rather do the work myself then pay her over $600 to do it. Is there a source for a good walk-thru on how to do this? I'm not stupid, but I'm not an amazing mechanic either. Is this something the average person could do? How long will it take? How much would it be likely to cost for parts?
I realize this is probably a pretty pedestrian (pun intentional) question for this forum, but any thoughts or help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

You don't have to remove the carb to reduce the carbon deposits.

What did you fail the inspection for? usually carbon deposits fail Nox.

You can try a bottle of Seafoam first. What you do is find one vacuum hose that goes to the intake manifold, just under the carb. disconnect it and attach another about two feet long. run the motor at 2500rpm and suck the seafoam into the IM. do about 1/4 a bottle and shut the motor off for 10 min. then repeat until the bottle is gone.

I would try a $10 bottle of Seafoam instead of $600
It has worked for me more than once. Give it a try.

SH Smog Tech.