Best solvents for soaking carb bits?

[JasonRedbeard]

So I tore the carbs down on my Special. They weren't as bad as I thought they might be, but there are definite issues here. One of the pilot jets was completely clogged with green crud. Two of the emulsion tubes were in the wrong carbs (#1 & 2 swapped.) And I think the bore that feeds the #3 pilot circuit is clogged, as that jet came out totally dry, where the others did not. All four inlet screens also had chunks stuck in them.

Still, I'm happy to say that it looks like it can all be straightened out with a good cleaning (or three, from what I've read,) which leads me to my question: I want to soak the small pieces overnight, but I don't know what sort of cleaner to use. What can I get that's easy to find, reasonably priced, and effective?

On a side note, I picked up supplies today so I can try out the homebrew soda blaster on the bodies and bowls. $16 at Home Depot, including an inline moisture filter to keep the air dry. :-D

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Carb cleaner

I just get a spray can of carb cleaner at the auto parts store, then spray the small parts holding them over a small glass bowl so it fills up with the overspray, then let em soak covered a day or two, spray again, seem to work great for me

[crazy steve]

You'll get all sorts of different cleaning solution/method opinions, depending on how bad they are and how much work you want to do. If you're willing to totally strip the carbs of any rubber parts (throttle shaft seals too), then Berrymans (available at most any parts store) will do a great job. Don't want to go that far? Then the Yamaha cleaner is probably the best...

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Small parts

Sorry, I thought said just the small parts, like jets and E tubs etc and were blasting the bodies. i wouldnt soak the bodies in auto carb cleaner with any rubber parts or seals in it

[Lonerider62]

Gunk

I bought a galon can of a product made by Gunk that had a parts basket in the can. I soaked everthing for a couple hours after I had taken out the jets. I put the connected carb bodies in a parts pan large enough to lay the connected carbs flat and completely covered with the cleaner. Then I rinsed them several times and used a vacuum to suck out every orifice. After I let them dry completely, I put in new jets and gaskets and reassembled everything. Bike runs like a champ now so I guess the cleaner did it's job.

[JasonRedbeard]

I'm not planning on pulling the throttle shafts and everything apart...not even taking the carbs off the connecting rail. I know that soaking them with will probably ruin the throttle shaft seal, that's why I'm going to try the soda-blaster. I'm only soaking the small parts (jets, emulsion tubes, needle&seat, etc) and doing it right in the carb bowls (after I blast the bowls out, of course.) So a gallon can of anything is overkill on a major scale.

[crazy steve]

I'm not planning on pulling the throttle shafts and everything apart...not even taking the carbs off the connecting rail...

I know some don't like to pull the carb set completely apart, but at least pull them off the rail. On every set I've disassembled, I found crud behind the fuel tees (and the vent tees if present); this crap, if not cleaned out, can hold your float needles open when it gets loose and cause no end of problems.

And a gallon can of 'carb dip' is a pretty good investment IMO; unlike all the spray cleaners, it won't evaporate away and you can reuse it for years. Put everything except the bodies and the slides/diaphrams in the can, soak overnight, and they'll be clean and ready to blow dry the next day.

You can't get these carbs too clean.

[ccogswel]

You can try this stuff. www.evapo-rust.com/ I haven't used it on any carbs yet but I'm waiting for the chance too. I bought a gallon on the stuff from autozone for like 20 bucks! And it's reusable.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Cool

Thanks for showing us that, I can think of many thing on my bike and other stuff to use it on I would love to hear results from posters how it worked for them

You can try this stuff. www.evapo-rust.com/ I haven't used it on any carbs yet but I'm waiting for the chance too. I bought a gallon on the stuff from autozone for like 20 bucks! And it's reusable.

[jetmechmarty]

I recently bought a gallon of METAL RESCUE. The results are just as advertised. It's a great option for derusting a tank. I used it to get the parts electrolysis missed, by pouring a bit in the tank and turning it upside down. I dropped some rusty chrome bits in it and they came out looking new!

I'm going to try the EVAPORUST as it appears to be a less expensive option.

[Gearsnd]

solventless

an old biker suggested that i pull my carbs apart then boil them. no caustic solvents needed.
the theory is that the deposits are petroleum/"oil" based. therefore the the oil holding the solids in place will eventually rise to the surface of the boiling water. leaving the solids easily removable. the only real issue is coming up with a pan that fits the carbs still on the rail.

note: this process smells horrible. so if you can do this outside or in a ventilated shop would be better than in your kitchen.

[jetmechmarty]

Go to your local thrift store and buy a crock pot. I'll bet you can get a big one for $5. That's what I plan to do. I have some nasty carbs on some other bikes that I'm going to boil in Yamaha Carburetor Cleaner Dip.

[mack]

evapo-rust

I read throught the reference material on this stuff Chris and I don't think it works on aluminum. Can't get the chemical reaction.

[mack]

metal rescue

Marty be very careful with stuff on aluminum. I wouldn't even consider putting a carb in this stuff until I experimented with soak times. Rinse throughly.

[jetmechmarty]

Thanx Mack

I didn't consider using Metal Rescue on the carbs. It IS good for derusting the fuel tank. I believe it's only good for ferrous metals.