I think it needs to be deep cleaned… or is that just simply being naive… I think I even have the gasket kit and the parts, just never did it… you are right.
Buy yourself a sonic cleaner from Harbor Freight for cheap (like under $50.00). Then break down the carb and let the sonic cleaner do its thing on all the parts except the needle and the gaskets. I do this on a regular basis using dawn dishwater cleaner.
That’s how I do it. After the bath, I blow high pressure are through it then hit with carb cleaner. Make sure to soak a Q-tip in WD40 and swab the float valve seat. This helps prevent the valve from sticking which could be real Bad. Also, never use a solvent with the ultra sonic bath. Us a mild liquid detergent.