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Best Carb Cleaner Solution?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RJ
  • Start date Start date
R

RJ

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What's the best stuff out there for soaking carbs? I've got mine sitting in a bath of gasoline just because that's all I had laying around. Plus I figured if the stuff that's gunking up the carbs came from gas, what better solvent than that?
 
Lots will tell you Berryman's Chemdip. Comes in a gallon bucket like paint, and has a basket in it with a handle so you can avoid sticking your hands in it...some people have suggested boiling them in lemon juice and distilled water does wonders. Havent tried it myself. I used the Chemdip. You'll want to take all of your rubber and plastic bits out of the carbs however should you use this method as the chemicals will eat them. You can get new replacement orings from www.cycleorings.com very inexpensively.
 
I use the Berryman's dip. It's the professionals choice. And don't forget to replace the intake O-rings while you have the carbs off (assume your bike has them that is).
 
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RJ said:
What's the best stuff out there for soaking carbs? I've got mine sitting in a bath of gasoline just because that's all I had laying around. Plus I figured if the stuff that's gunking up the carbs came from gas, what better solvent than that?
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Boil them in lemon juice, the acid will clean he carbs and doesn't harm the rubber bits. Boil them for about 10 mins and beware the stuff stinks but does a good job.
 
gaillarry said:
Boil them in lemon juice, the acid will clean he carbs and doesn't harm the rubber bits. Boil them for about 10 mins and beware the stuff stinks but does a good job.
Click to expand...

Boil them if you must but completely disassembly first. Don't try to clean carbs with rubber parts attached.
 
Several weeks ago I went to help a forum member with his carbs. He had gotten a gallon of Gunk brand cleaner, then decided to order the Berryman's. I took my can of Berryman's, too. I could not believe the difference in the smell of the three cans. My can of Berryman's smells rather sweet, what I associate with a machine shop. His can of Berryman's smelled more like varnish, the Gunk smelled kind of like acetone. The ingredient label on all three was pretty much the same and they all worked well, but the difference in the smell was astounding. Hope you get the sweet-smelling stuff like mine. 8-[


.
 
since the acidity of the lemon juice is the key, and vinegar is also a mildly acidic liquid as I recall from my chefly says, what about boiling them in a vinegar water solution? If I can put up with the smell of chitlins cooking, I could probably take the smell of gas fouled metal objects boiling in vinegar,huh? I had alreadcy planned on the lemon juice treatment but got way laid by the ironica placement of rain in the weekend schedule.
 
I like MEK (methyl-ethyl ketone), available from industrial chemical places.

It works, and it smells niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice :mrgreen:
 
OK sounds like the vinegar/lemon juice combo is the easiest. What proportion of each would you recommend?
 
Gasoline is a very poor solvent. Soaking the carbs in it will only add additive deposits to the carbs. Not to mention that it gives off highly flammable and toxic fumes at room temperature. Excessive or prolonged contact with the skin can also cause health problems. Bottom line is the stuff is good only as a fuel.
 
Boiling in vinegar is also good but smells worse than lemon juice but its cheaper! The acid in either one does the trick. For jets and needles I soak them in a glass jar with lacquer thinner for a few days.
 
Berryman's ChemDip is the bomb, but vinegar is cheaper and MUCH more environmentally friendly. It will still kill your plants or grass if you dump it on them :shock:

RJ, didn't you used to be up here?
 
RJ said:
You mean like New York? No, sorry.
Click to expand...

Ok... I had to do some digging, and was starting to think my mind had gotten REALLY feeble, but I had you confused with this member... between the name and the avatar, I think you can see where I'm coming from :oops:

Figure out what you'll use yet? You can always go the vinegar route first and if it isn't clean enough shell out the $20 for the Berrymans :-D
 
Okay, so Monday nite I went to Dexters laboratory (my woodshop) and poured up a combo of leftover denatured alcohol, some laquer thinner and some mineral spirits. Wish I had some kerosene or diesel, but any way , mixed this, left it for a few to see if it would smoke, spew, or blow up. Didn't, so I went ahead and started soaking some parts in it. Damn, it works nice. Maybe when I have the time, I'll boil up some vinegar and water- but wair. The weekend is approaching and what's the forecast? Of course! 3-6 inches of snow and falling temps. So much for another weekend of anticipated outside work.
 
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