Volkswagen: Carburetor, lithium grease, float bowl

Question
I may be purchasing a Bug that has been sitting for some time, and I am a little "fuzzy" on carbs.  After I empty the old fuel and check the lines and such, what do I do with the carburetor when I am trying to turn it over?  Thanx!

Answer
Hi Captain,

There are two ways of approaching this:

a) Take off the carb and spray and clean it well with carb. cleaner.  Make sure you wear eye protection.  

b) Fill up the float area (where the fuel line goes in) and shake it around lightly to free all the gunk.

c) Unscrew the little plug at the bottom of the float bowl and let the solution drain out.  Repeat process until it drains out clearly.

d) Clean up the carb and apply a small coat of lithium grease to all the springs and moving mechanisms. (do not put any in the carb)

e) Get a new gasket to mount it back to the new manifold.

f) It may take a little while to start, as the bowl needs to fill up, but this should do it.

-------
II.

If you suspect any carb. problems after you have done all this,  you can buy a rebuild kit for under 20.00 at the following link:

www.mamotorworks.com/vw

Thanks and let me know how you make out,

Ron