Carb cleaning question

[tomo]

Don`t know if its the same everywhere, but over here the only carb cleaners you can get are the spray type. I`ve got some old carbs that are pretty gunged up, so want to strip em down and soak the parts. Used to be able to get a liquid for that, but apparently no more as it was considered a health hazard. Anyway, I`ve heard that daft though it sounds, soaking parts in coca cola or vinegar works. Sounds a bit strange to me, but wondered if anyone has tried this ?. Guess with both you would have to really rinse them down well after and blow everything out with compressed air. Any advice much appreciated.

[BassCliff]

What smells so good?

Hi Mr. tomo,

Yes, I've read here that riders have used vinegar, strong concentrations of boiling lemon juice, even tomato juice, to dip their carbs. It might take longer than Berryman's, but it's effective.

"Oh honey, are you cooking dinner tonight? What's on the menu?"

"Carburetors marinara!" :-D


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Pete Logan]

I used to work for Cable and Wireless, and I know the Trans-Andean maintenance crews used Coca-Cola to clean their tools. Just chuck them in and leave overnight, then wash off with water.

I don't know what the current formulation does, but pour a glass and put a dirty copper coin in it overnight to see.

[tomo]

Cheers guys. I`ll give the coca cola a try, might just try the vinegar on my CX500 carbs too. Will let you know how it goes.

[Nessism]

I think there is lots of urban legend about Coca-Cola removing rust and what have you. My understanding is that the original formula of Coke was highly acidic but that has been toned down with current formulations.

I’ve read about people boiling out their carbs using an acidic solution and can’t see how it would hurt to try; reputed to make quite a stench so a hot plate outside might be in order. Give it a try and report back. I’m sure lots of folks around here would be interested in the feedback.

[Dogma]

I think there is lots of urban legend about Coca-Cola removing rust and what have you. My understanding is that the original formula of Coke was highly acidic but that has been toned down with current formulations.

I’ve read about people boiling out their carbs using an acidic solution and can’t see how it would hurt to try; reputed to make quite a stench so a hot plate outside might be in order. Give it a try and report back. I’m sure lots of folks around here would be interested in the feedback.

There's enough urban legend about Coke that Myth Busters did an episode on it. Most of the myths were confirmed or at least plausible. Unfortunately, I can't remember which weren't (except the Pop Rocks).

[tkent02]

I tried boiling my 850 piston with the ring stuck to it in lemon juice, water and detergent, it got the last of the carbon and varnish off, also discolored the metal a darker gray than the other three pistons. I threw a couple other little parts in to see if it cleaned them, it did. Not sure which chemical caused the discoloration.
My grill outdoors has a burner on the side, but my wife still got upset that I used her pan. Go figure.

[Pete Logan]

my wife still got upset that I used her pan. Go figure.

Yeah, that's really weird.

My wife is the same. Go figure :-D

[Suzuki_Don]

Try Acrylic or laquer paint thinners from a spray painting supplier. You can get it in 1 or 4 litre tins. The acrylic has MEK in it which helps. You can also buy MEK in 4 litre tins as well. Good luck.

[TAFF]

A mate of mine swears by using brake fluid for cleaning carb bodies on car , so i would asume this will work on bike carb as they are both alloy bodies, i,d try it on a small area first before soaking the whole body

[DaveDanger]

I tried boiling my 850 piston with the ring stuck to it in lemon juice, water and detergent, it got the last of the carbon and varnish off, also discolored the metal a darker gray than the other three pistons. I threw a couple other little parts in to see if it cleaned them, it did. Not sure which chemical caused the discoloration.
My grill outdoors has a burner on the side, but my wife still got upset that I used her pan. Go figure.

Bet on the lemon juice as the "darkening" culprit. In that specific batch, you had two dissimilar metals (aluminum and steel). The lemon juice to begin with, neutralized the detergent (ask your wife if she's ever used a mild lemon juice and water solution to rinse shampoo from her hair) then the citric acid in the lemon juice created an electrolytic reaction between the two dissimilar metals to cause the darkening of the aluminum piston. Very similar to sticking a penny and a galvanized nail into a lemon and powering a tiny LED bulb.... A battery in essence The molecular reaction at the surface of the steel rings transferred some of its color to the aluminum.

One of those really neat things you learn helping your children with science homework

Pure vinegar is my grease/rust dissolver of choice when in a bind for the proper chemical. It does a decent job.

[themess]

I tried boiling my 850 piston with the ring stuck to it in lemon juice, water and detergent, it got the last of the carbon and varnish off, also discolored the metal a darker gray than the other three pistons. I threw a couple other little parts in to see if it cleaned them, it did. Not sure which chemical caused the discoloration.

Lemon juice, which has acetic acid. Aluminum reacts rapidly with acids.

I was going to tell you to buy a gallon can of carburetor dip, but I see that you live in the UK, where people apparently aren't expected to be responsbile....

I'd start by seeing if you can still buy paint remover that is made from methanol and methylene chloride, without thickening agents. Very nasty stuff on skin and never use it inside. I'd put some of that in methanol, or acetone or laquer thinner or xylene, and dip the carbs in that (after removing all rubber parts. Check first on small spots - I can't see how it would damage the metal, but I've never tried it.

[Colin Green]

When I was looking for carb cleaner I expressed my concerns to a retired mechanic at a local parts shop, about the effectiveness of using spray cans (rather buying a 20 litre drum for close to $200) he suggested that you get good economy and effective cleaning by using the spray cans on the jets and other really hard to get at nook's and cranny's and that most of the carb can be cleaned using a toothbrush with a small amount of carb cleaner squirted into the lid of the spray can.

I went one step further and cleaned my carbs inside and out used the tooth brush and petrol before using the carb cleaner & brush to deal to the small amount of really stubborn crud. I still have a quarter of the can left and the carb is as clean as the proverbial

[chuckycheese]

Yes?

A mate of mine swears by using brake fluid for cleaning carb bodies on car , so i would asume this will work on bike carb as they are both alloy bodies, i,d try it on a small area first before soaking the whole body

This sounds like the best idea, by far, to me. If it will remove baked on paint (and it most certainly will), it should do a real 'number' on carb gunk.:?

[tomo]

Thanks for all the advice, I`ll experiment with some other carbs I have in the spares dept (garden hut) and let you know how I get on.