suitable cleaners for carb cleaning (dipping)

[GS750]

G'day all, just a question about carby cleaning agents or dips.

Ok, after much painstaking research I have discovered that this stuff is almost non existant here in Australia.

I have tried many many many retail and wholesale outlets where I might have been able to get carby dip but due to stupid regulations we have, they have stopped selling it (years ago now)

Ok, I thought about other cleaning methods, I know of ultrasonic cleaners, but what is a good additive to use with them??

Also thought about using the stuff called "gun wash" that spray painters use to soak their spray guns in, I think it is something similar to the stuff used for fibreglassing (MEKP)

We do have the small aerosol's of carby cleaner that are available but they are only 400g and obviously cant be used for dipping.

Does anyone have any ideas if gun wash or MEKP would be a suitable cleaning dip??

[Big Rich]

While I personally haven't tried it, I've heard of folks using a 1:1 ratio of lemon juice and water and boiling the carbs in it. Only other thing I know about the juice boiling is that it stinks to high heaven.

[Hoosier Daddy]

When I did the Keihin carbs on a past build, I was advised against using the Berrymans dip on them due to the felt shaft seals. Instead I boiled them in about a cup of lemon juice and enough distilled water to cover them in a metal coffee can. Took about 45 minutes per carb.
I did use the aerosol carb cleaner and a toothbrush before to remove the majority of the grime and then used again as a final wash after they were dry and blown each passage with a air gun.

[Hoosier Daddy]

While I personally haven't tried it, I've heard of folks using a 1:1 ratio of lemon juice and water and boiling the carbs in it. Only other thing I know about the juice boiling is that it stinks to high heaven.

Yep, I did mine out on the bar-B.

[Guest]

Mate go to a Yamaha dealer and get a bottle of Yamalube carb cleaner.

Mix it up with some water and boil 'em.

Suzuki_Don passed this on to me and it works like an absolute charm, my carbs are spotless internally.

Have a look at page 55 of my rebuild thread below starting at about post #549 for what I did.

[Guest]

Oh, word of warning... if your garage is part of your house, do it outside... it stinks like nothing else. My wife was not impressed after the stench went through the whole house...

[JEEPRUSTY]

Acetone.
But just for metal bits.
It dissolves just about everything and does it quickly.

Horrid poison with many health hazards read the MSDS and act accordingly.

[7981GS]

Try Laquer Thinner. I use it to clean my paint spray equipment.
It will definitely dissolve any paint that are on them.
I have never tried it on carbs but it should work.
About $20.00 per Gallon.

Daniel

[rodm850g]

suitable cleaners for carb cleaning (dipping)

GS750,
I agree with Pete, I used the new formulae from YAMAHA and it was great.
I mixed it up in a large bottle with a big opening, then put the parts that were the worst in it...I let the parts soak, and as I wandered by every now and then I swished the fluid around....jets came out like new and so did the otherparts... good luck
Rod

[JEEPRUSTY]

You can cut the Yamaha stuff with water apparently

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/apparel/apscitemdetail/3/124/all/5/322/detail.aspx

[GS750]

thanks everyone will get the yamalube cleaner and give it a go on my spare carbs.

[GS750]

Just spoke to local Yamaha dealer, the yamaha carb cleaner is listed on the Yamaha Australia website for $23/quart and the dealer said $20/quart lol, bargain!!!!

Im definitely going to get me some this afternoon!!!!

[Guest]

Score! Make sure you share some pic's...

Oh, and one other minor detail I forgot to mention is that if you're boiling it, you'll need to top the water up at some point as a fair bit will boil off by the time you're about 3/4 through, so I'd try to leave some dip in the bottle to top it up as well.

[GS750]

Score! Make sure you share some pic's...

Oh, and one other minor detail I forgot to mention is that if you're boiling it, you'll need to top the water up at some point as a fair bit will boil off by the time you're about 3/4 through, so I'd try to leave some dip in the bottle to top it up as well.

Thanks Pete, I have an old (LARGE) pot with a glass lid so I will put that on and instead of a vigourous boil I will keep them at a simmer Thankfully I have a gas burner for camping so I can do it out the back in the men's territory Aka: shed

Might not have time for a few weeks though :O

[1_v8_merc]

No dipping for me, just carb spray.

If you don't mind getting it all over your hands, and can bare the smell, it works.

My bike runs flawless after a few cleanings.