What Cleaning Solution Do You Use?

[Chewie01]

I have finally managed to get my balls out of my carbs, after much procrastination and several drill bits.
I'm now going to put them into my newly purchased ultrasonic cleaner, but I was wondering what solvent or other cleaning fluid do you use for cleaning carbs?

My thought on this is to use petrol because it's a solvent and it must be safe to use on carbs considering that's what they come into contact with every day.

Also, what temperature do you use for the ultrasonic bath and how long do you leave them in for?

[oldbritguy]

Petrol may seem safe on carbs but I wouldn’t use in an ultrasonic cleaner.
It has a heating element to heat up the cleaning solution plus the unit is unlikely to be intrinsically safe. If you want Dusty’s old workmates in the big red truck turning up to what is left of your house then crack on.
Otherwise get some carb cleaning solution for the u/s cleaner. Cheap on eBay and much cheaper than a new house 😉
John

[Chewie01]

I have no intention of filling the cleaner with petrol and heating it up. That wouldn't be a sensible option.
The method I've seen used is to fill the U/S cleaner with water and then put a separate sealed container with the carb body inside with some petrol. It also means I won't have litters of solvent to dispose of. If the worst did happen, the it would be contained in a bath of water.
I also intend to do this outside if it ever stops raining.

[stusco]

Don’t turn the heat up too high it makes the carbs go a dark gray

[stirling11]

There are proper US solutions available that are a Ph neutral detergent base and they do not harm the aluminium and can be heated too

As they are detergent they can be disposed of very easily

Try the Kemet website

[Tobyjugs]

I use tikpur 33

[oldbritguy]

Interesting to hear a couple of different suggestions.
I use carbsonic solution which I dilute to 20:1 with water. It works well and I heat it to about 30 degrees for about 30 minutes in the cleaner.
It is slightly alkaline and so needs a good rinse with clean water afterwards. If not it leaves a white powdery deposit which I don’t think would be too good if left untouched.
Works great on all parts of the carbs (ally and brass components)
I haven’t experienced any discolouration of the carb bodies as of yet.
John 🙂

[stusco]

I did a carb with engine cleaner set at 60’ c for 30 min and it went dark gray which was a pisser as they had been vapour blasted,i had just got the ultrasonic cleaner so though id use it to rinse the carbs after vapour

[steve63]

I use the ultrasonic carb cleaner diluted with water out of my de-humidifier. I use the same fluid for everything. It seems to work perfectly. I've used it with switchgear and connecter blocks, in fact the whole wiring harness a bit at a time. It wasn't very expensive although I can't remember how much. Before that I used to use warm water with just a drop of washing up liquid. The carb cleaner works better.

[marrcel]

I had succes without ultrasonic bath.
A syringe, a solid nylon wire and spiritus did the job.

[Robbieben]

I use Allendale parts cleaner in my ultrasonic cleaner at 10% and 65 degrees, brings everythig up nice and clean, if I use a higher temperature and a 20% concentration it also removes old paint from parts like switchgear etc, can't recommend the stuff higly enough.
www.allendale-ultrasonics.co.uk/carburettor-machine-and-engine-parts-ultrasonic-cleaner-solution-5-litre-cleaning-fluid

[abar121]

Aug 6, 2021 10:12:08 GMT 1 Robbieben said:

I use Allendale parts cleaner in my ultrasonic cleaner at 10% and 65 degrees, brings everythig up nice and clean, if I use a higher temperature and a 20% concentration it also removes old paint from parts like switchgear etc, can't recommend the stuff higly enough.
www.allendale-ultrasonics.co.uk/carburettor-machine-and-engine-parts-ultrasonic-cleaner-solution-5-litre-cleaning-fluid

Just looking at that data sheet, it does contain paint solvents so unpainted stuff only. Also water softener etc.

[fubars]

I use this

[kri101]

Just to say guys honestly do not use petrol as a cleaner or solvent, I know it works but it is so flammable, even the fumes can ignite and the results do not bear thinking about. Please just stay safe.

[paulls]

I have always used diesel in the u/s cleaner no risk and leaves the carb bodies like new