Carburetor Soup

[Guest]

I was cleaning a rack of BS32 Mikuni's the other day and decided to make some carburetor soup. Start by taking the rack apart and separate each carburetor. Strip the carburetor bodies down, its ok to leave the throttle shaft assemblies in place. Place all the bodies in an aluminum pot. Add enough water to cover. Add 8 oz of mirachem 500 to the water. Heat water until its good and hot, reduce heat and simmer for 4 hours. Let cool. Remove each body and rinse well with water. Your carb bodies should be squeaky clean at this point. I usually shoot some carb cleaner through all the holes followed by compressed air. The brass parts I soak in berrymans but this mixture is also safe on brass.

[Steve]

What is mirachem 500 and where do you get it?

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[almarconi]

Mirachem 500 is a biodegradeable rubber safe degreaser. Here is there website

http://www.ct1w.mirachem.com/topics/products/industrial/3300/3300-100.htm

You can order it online.

I have also used hurrisafe biodegradeble carb cleaner with excellent results.

http://www.hurrisafe.com/automotivedegreasers/7110carburetorcleaner.html

The 5 gallon pail is probably the most economical size. About $100 and it lasts along time. I purchased a pail of it about 3yrs ago and still have about a gallon left. I've also used it to clean auto parts and motorcycle parts.

[Nessism]

Have any after shots? Sounds interesting...although boiling for 4 hours sounds like about 3.25 hours too long.

[almarconi]

although boiling for 4 hours sounds like about 3.25 hours too long.

Really depends on how dirty they are. Mine looked like they were stored in Davey Jones locker, barnacles and all.

I was reading where acidic solutions such as vinegar or lemon juice will discolor the carbs if you use an aluminum pot. I didn't notice any color change with this solution. I really like the idea of being able to do all the bodies at one time, rather than soaking each one in berrymans. Suppose you could use four cans of the berrymans but I like the fact that the mirachem is safe on rubber.

Many of the companys will send you a free sample if you ask. Hurrisafe sent me a sample of their paint prep, I don't think they even charged shipping.