Mixture plug removal?

[elwaxoro]

I've got my '80 550L carbs off and have begun the cleaning process...
EDIT: I took a look at the carb reference, and I guess I'm talking about the air screw.
The mixture screws all have their plug with the pinhole. I tried the screw technique, and promptly broke the tip of the screw off in the hole . I drilled this out, but haven't tried anything else yet.

How thick is this plug? When I drilled it, it seemed pretty substantial.
How much does it take to get this thing loose? I put a lot of force on it, but it didn't budge at all.
Can I get away with leaving this in? I've seen the broken carb pics...

[Steve]

If you have any hope at all of completely cleaning your carbs, you must remove them.

Thickness? About 4-5mm and there is about that much room below it before hitting the screw. Friction fit around the outer edge, so just keep working at it.

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[focus frenzy]

generally they are 1/8-3/16th thick but more importantly, the air screw is just underneath and is nice soft brass.common to go to far and drill the air screw.I would recommend trying a better quality screw and plenty good quality penetrate.

[not a biker]

are you sure you are removing the right plug ?

[tkent02]

Twist the drill by hand, don't use a power drill. Once you are through try sticking the chuck end of the bit in the hole and prying it out.

And then use a screwdriver that fits really well, the screw may be stuck pretty good after 28 years.

[cutlass79500]

i use a drill if your not sure wrap tape around the bit about 1/8 in up so you dont drill to far. i use a bit a little bigger then the hole when the bit is about to go thru it will pop the plug right out . just drill slow removed probbibly 50 to 100 that way never had a problem

[elwaxoro]

Got one out!
A small propane torch was the key for getting the screw out without stripping it (more). On a related note, is there a way to repair a slightly stripped head? I was able to get it out, but I'm worried that future removals. Can I grind the slot deeper or something?

[Steve]

Got one out!
On a related note, is there a way to repair a slightly stripped head? I was able to get it out, but I'm worried that future removals. Can I grind the slot deeper or something?

You might be able to grind a deeper slot, but if you keep riding the bike or store it properly for the winter, you should never have to remove them again.

To grind a deeper slot, you might try a Dremel tool with a thin cutting disk and a VERY steady hand.

.

[Guest]

Steve's right. A dremmel works great. I've used it to remove stuck screws in the carb bodies also.

[diesel]

Got one out!
A small propane torch was the key for getting the screw out without stripping it (more). On a related note, is there a way to repair a slightly stripped head? I was able to get it out, but I'm worried that future removals. Can I grind the slot deeper or something?

IIRC there's not a lot of thickness between the bottom of the slot and the shaft of the screw. I think it makes more sense to cut a new slot the same depth as the original but offset 90 degrees from the original.

[Steve]

IIRC there's not a lot of thickness between the bottom of the slot and the shaft of the screw. I think it makes more sense to cut a new slot the same depth as the original but offset 90 degrees from the original.

If you cut a different slot, you will have far less (soft) metal there to support your turning efforts.
Personally, I would rather cut the existing groove a little deeper.

.