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Carb cleaning solution
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 81
From: Alberta Eh
Carb cleaning solution
Hey guys, I’ve got an old carburetor off of my quad that is gummed up pretty bad. It’s been sitting with old gas/varnish in it for a few years. I’ve been disassembling it and cleaning it with some carb cleaner and a fine brush, but I’d like to soak it in something to maybe help clean it up. Do you guys know of a solution I could soak it in? The atv forums aren’t much help, and my local dealer thinks a few spritz of their special carb cleaner will solve the problem.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Could try a good parts store, comes in a large paint can type pail w/basket screen to dunk & soak the whole carb body. Gumout is one brand. Many of the effective chemicals have been banned though, or defanged, esp. if you live in California.
In light of that some recommend using an old crock pot (heat) and a solution of Simple Green as very effective, though I haven't tried it. Pine-Sol is another crock pot favorite, and will make the garage smell fresh. Bonus points from SWMBO! A spray can of carb cleaner probably won't do the trick.
It's important to get all the high speed and idle air bleeds and tiny orifices and passages &c clean, without resorting to jamming wires or drill bits through them, this tends to scratch or enlarge and alters the flow characteristics and not in a good way. Shop air, high pressure air, helps a lot to blow them clear.
Carburetor Cleaning
In light of that some recommend using an old crock pot (heat) and a solution of Simple Green as very effective, though I haven't tried it. Pine-Sol is another crock pot favorite, and will make the garage smell fresh. Bonus points from SWMBO! A spray can of carb cleaner probably won't do the trick.
It's important to get all the high speed and idle air bleeds and tiny orifices and passages &c clean, without resorting to jamming wires or drill bits through them, this tends to scratch or enlarge and alters the flow characteristics and not in a good way. Shop air, high pressure air, helps a lot to blow them clear.
Carburetor Cleaning
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
I purchase a gal. of Berryman's Carb cleaner that includes the basket but remove any plastic or rubber components and then let the carb set in the container overnight, Suggest taking pic's during disassembly may find photo's helpful, most important is to designate a clean area and location, I remove all items from the workbench than lay down a clean piece of paper. If U do not have an air compressor for clearing air passages an aerosol can of compressed air will work but use caution, U do not want to have to search for projected parts.
Anyhow, couple of suggestions I found helpful.
Anyhow, couple of suggestions I found helpful.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
AND its flammable as hell so work ONLY in a WELL VENTILATED space!! No open flames or spark igniters around either.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 81
From: Alberta Eh
Hey guys thank you all VERY much! The mobile site and my phone don't get along well so I have to set my laptop up to come on here. I couldn't find Berrymans or Simple Green, but I did find that Canadian Tire had some MEK solvent, so I grabbed two cans of it. Now I gotta find a container small enough to get the carb fully submerged in it because I was cheap and only bought two cans thinking it would be enough lol.
Thank you Tedster9 and JWA for the safety tips, I actually googled MEK and when it said "Methyl Ethyl Ketone" I was like ya that sounds like I need to be smart with this stuff
I was also looking at one of those ultrasonic cleaners, but the ones with a decent capacity are a bit pricey. They're probably worth it though.
I'm gonna snap a few pics, disassemble, and drop it in for a couple days n give it a good soak. It was rebuild once before, so hopefully I can get away with cleaning it and replacing the rubber parts that are questionable. The carb I ordered online spits and sputters passed half throttle, and its pretty embarrassing getting outran by the dog when we're moving cattle lol.
Thank you Tedster9 and JWA for the safety tips, I actually googled MEK and when it said "Methyl Ethyl Ketone" I was like ya that sounds like I need to be smart with this stuff
I was also looking at one of those ultrasonic cleaners, but the ones with a decent capacity are a bit pricey. They're probably worth it though.
I'm gonna snap a few pics, disassemble, and drop it in for a couple days n give it a good soak. It was rebuild once before, so hopefully I can get away with cleaning it and replacing the rubber parts that are questionable. The carb I ordered online spits and sputters passed half throttle, and its pretty embarrassing getting outran by the dog when we're moving cattle lol.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Haha ... we need pics of that!
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 166
From: Central Texas
I recently came across a method that is absolutely the best at cleaning carbs...or anything for that matter. Simple Green in an ultrasonic cleaner, alcohol rinse immediately after, blow dry...absolutely fantastic results. You can get one at Harbor Freight that will be big enough for small carbs like ATV's or small engines. An AFB/Holley will not fit. We have a large one at work that I used but it was $1200.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
We at Mike's Carburetor Parts use an ultrasonic cleaner with Pro 300 as a mix, but the average person will not have access to this. Our professional cleaner had a cost of around $2,000. The cleaner Pro 300 is bought by the case for over $100.00. Some have bought one from Harbor Freight. Don't have any idea if they work as it is something I wouldn't buy, but if you do use Simple Green as the cleaner.
New User
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
Cleaning
New User
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
Ultrasonic Cleaner
I recently came across a method that is absolutely the best at cleaning carbs...or anything for that matter. Simple Green in an ultrasonic cleaner, alcohol rinse immediately after, blow dry...absolutely fantastic results. You can get one at Harbor Freight that will be big enough for small carbs like ATV's or small engines. An AFB/Holley will not fit. We have a large one at work that I used but it was $1200.
I’ve got four auto carbs I need to clean and get them presentable. They are all 50+ years old. Big Ford carbs. Thank you and sorry for any confusion.