'nother carb question

[boner]

So i was replacing the throttle cables on my old honda cb400t and had to remove the tops part of the carbs to access to the cable linkage (i have sausage fingers). while i had the covers off i pulled the slides out to inspect and clean them...

they had a layer of soot on the engine side. is this a sign of a bigger problem, maybe something valve related, or can i just chock it up to normal age related filth? I cleaned them with fine steel wool and reassembled.

also what should be used to lubricate the top part where it slides in the 'bowl'? i assume this should make a good seal so that the engines vacuum can actuate the slides. i just used a few drops of light oil (tri-flow) and spread it around the circumference.

is that all good? right now with the bike in its current state of disassembly i cannot start it and take it for a test ride.

i don't know too much about carburators, and quite frankly, i believe there is a little bit of magic living inside of each one.

[kevinwilly]

Are you talking 3 in 1?

Or Tri-flow?

Tri flow is a teflon based lubricant.... 3 in 1 is a multipurpose oil.

Tri-flow is about the best you can use. Any PTFE lube will keep it working smooth and not get gunked up with stuff.

I ONLY use PTFE lube on idle air contol valves, carb slides, throttle body linkage... anything that gets exposed to gas fumes or an EGR system.... it lasts a LOT longer than normal grease or oil without getting gunked.

If you used 3 in 1 itll be fine, though. I would not take it apart just to use a different lube, though.