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Aviation glossary

Carburetor Icing

What is carburetor icing?

FAA handbook figure illustrating carburetor icing

Carburetor icing is the formation of ice inside a float-type carburetor caused by the temperature drop that occurs when fuel vaporizes and air pressure decreases in the venturi. This sharp cooling can chill the air to below freezing, allowing ice to build up and restrict airflow, which reduces engine power and can eventually cause the engine to stop. Think of it as the carburetor "refrigerating" itself—why it can happen even on warm days with high humidity, and why fuel-injected engines avoid this problem.

Also known as: carb icing, carburetor ice

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