Ultrasonic Cleaning Process?

[Nessism]

What method are you ultrasonic cleaner users using? How long, what temp, what cleaner and the concentration level, and are you using a preclean in carb dip first?

I'm using my Chinese 6L cheapy ultrasonic for the first time w/Simple Green Pro. Diluted about 6:1. 20 mins at 45C. Did a carb dip first, partly because these carbs were black before and I used paint stripper on them and then mineral spirits to rinse. The dip got the rest of the crud off so the carbs were relatively clean before the ultrasonic. I'm a little uncertain about the general cleaning abilities of the ultrasonic. Crossing fingers. Don't fully trust it yet.

[JJ]

What method are you ultrasonic cleaner users using? How long, what temp, what cleaner and the concentration level, and are you using a preclean in carb dip first?

I'm using my Chinese 6L cheapy ultrasonic for the first time w/Simple Green Pro. Diluted about 6:1. 20 mins at 45C. Did a carb dip first, partly because these carbs were black before and I used paint stripper on them and then mineral spirits to rinse. The dip got the rest of the crud off so the carbs were relatively clean before the ultrasonic. I'm a little uncertain about the general cleaning abilities of the ultrasonic. Crossing fingers. Don't fully trust it yet.

I'm thinking and hoping that you'll be pleasantly surprised, Ed. Please let us know what you think of the results.

I usually dilute SGP 4:1 for carb cleaning. I don't think 6:1 will be that far off, though. I don't dip them in carb cleaner first with the ultrasonic cleaner.

[hampshirehog]

In my cheap Chinese jobby, 70 degrees and water with a splash of household detergent. Half an hour then rinse and repeat.

[Agemax]

my experience i found too hot will discolour the carbs, i always clean them at 30 degrees.

[hampshirehog]

my experience i found too hot will discolour the carbs, i always clean them at 30 degrees.

Mine come out really shiny, perhaps with a slight 'rainbow shine' on the carb bodies if you catch the sun on them. Maybe it's a combination of temperature and cleaner mix. What are you putting in your cleaner Adrian? Oh, and happy birthday for tomorrow.

[steveb922]

I've had good results with this fluid, used at 50 degrees C for 30 mins.

http://www.allendale-ultrasonics.co.uk/carburettor-and-machine-parts-ultrasonic-cleaning-solution-5-litre.html

Parts go through the de-greasing tank first, so as to remove the worst of the exterior gunk.

[Nessism]

Mine come out really shiny, perhaps with a slight 'rainbow shine' on the carb bodies if you catch the sun on them.

My carbs came out kind of shiny too. I think it's an effect of the ultrasonic process. The surface of the carbs has a hint of roughness, almost as if metal was taken off during the cleaning.

After drying there was some white powdery residue present on certain parts of the carbs. I think next time I clean a set of carbs I'll do a short pure water ultrasonic cycle to be sure to remove all the cleaner residue.

Overall I'm pleased. The ultrasonic machine is kind of noisy but that's what garages are for. Good fun.

[Wingsconsin]

I found that when I use Simple Green I have to rinse the carbs in clean water after a few times
Then I blow them out really well with air and a final bit of WD40 -
Last time I didn't take the extra time to clean them well -- I ended up with some residue that caused me to clean them a second time.

[gsrick]

I use SHARPERTEK 1220 carb cleaner degreaser at work. 4-8 oz. per gallon as instructed @ 50 degrees Celsius, but the boss is cheap so I have to use a more diluted mix. Two years and no issues and I had some pretty nasty carbs in there. I'll run 30 minute cycles 5 or 6 times and for really nasty carbs let them soak mover night. I haven't noticed any discoloration.

[Nessism]

Getting to know the ultrasonic cleaner better and can confirm Adrian's comment. First two carb bodies I did turned out beautiful. The fluid was relatively cool at that time though. An hour or so of cleaning allowed the solution to get fully up to temperature, about 50 C, and the second two carb bodies, and the float bowls, turned out darker. Not happy. I bead blasted those parts to make them nice and shinny so it was back to the drawing board. I had to reblast, but it was just a quicky job because the bodies and bowls were basically clean to begin with. At any rate, watch the temp in conjunction with the cleaning solution you are using. I used that Simple Green Pro stuff. Maybe would have had different results using something else.

[thebrandonbeezy]

Little side tracking here, but whats a good ultrasonic cleaner to get on a budget? That will fit a carb or 2

[Wingsconsin]

Getting to know the ultrasonic cleaner better and can confirm Adrian's comment. First two carb bodies I did turned out beautiful. The fluid was relatively cool at that time though. An hour or so of cleaning allowed the solution to get fully up to temperature, about 50 C, and the second two carb bodies, and the float bowls, turned out darker. Not happy. I bead blasted those parts to make them nice and shinny so it was back to the drawing board. I had to reblast, but it was just a quicky job because the bodies and bowls were basically clean to begin with. At any rate, watch the temp in conjunction with the cleaning solution you are using. I used that Simple Green Pro stuff. Maybe would have had different results using something else.

When I have used SimpleGreen - I clean 1 carb and flush out the solution - using fresh for each dipping.
I run the machine several times to heat the fluids as the carb is being cleaned out - and flush with lots of fresh water
Simple green is safe to pour off into the lawn (it works for me)
Maybe the dirt off the first 2 carbs showed up on your second 2 ?

Little side tracking here, but whats a good ultrasonic cleaner to get on a budget? That will fit a carb or 2

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-63256.html

This one from Harbor Freight is only $80 and works just fine.

Just my experience

[Nessism]

Dirty solution doesn't turn the carbs dark. It's a chemical reaction taking place.

Regular Simple Green is corrosive to certain metals like aluminum but I thought the Pro version was safer. Guess I should do more research.

[Kiwi Canuck]

Little side tracking here, but whats a good ultrasonic cleaner to get on a budget? That will fit a carb or 2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-6L-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Stainless-Steel-Industry-Heated-Heater-w-Timer-/252186235237

Maybe a bit more suitable, probably same as Ed is using.

I got the 3L version of this and it barely fits one carb.

[roeme]

I'm using either distilled water, or filtrated tap water, with plain old dishwashing liquid, at around 50°C. I usually let them sit in the ultrasonic for 40-60mins, adding 30min-intervals as necessary. Only minor pre-cleaning with spray carb cleaner and an old toothbrush, mainly so the ultrasonic doesn't need to waste time to go through that gunk and can go at the crevasses and orifices right away.

Very first carb I did, I had only tap water at hand, and the carb had a bit of white powdery residue on it afterwards. Tap water around here has a high amount of chalk (lime - not sure about the translation) in it, after switching to aforementioned water I had no more problems.

Machine came with some special cleaner, I found that it stains certain metals, so I switched to the dishwashing liquid. The primary cleaning action in the ultrasonic is mechanical anyway, and I've been told that the main purpose of the cleaner is to get the surface tension of the water down.

I suspect that certain cleaners, as the temperature increases, get much more corrosive to certain alloys, hence the staining.

I don't run all parts through the ultrasonic equally, more delicate ones such as jets & needle valves usually come out earlier than the rest, as soon as they're cleaned up.