Soaking Carbs

[Bo0YaA]

I was just wondering what you guys soak your carbs in. I tried a highly diluted engine cleaner and it still etched the aluminum.

[saleen_n_around]

Denatured alcohol.......

[mikeyb716]

The best stuff that I have used to soak the jets and the bowl is Evenrude outboard engine tuner. Let the jets soak in it for a few hours and they will look new again. I put all of the jets, air screw and idle screw in the bowl. I remove the floats fill the bowl up with engine tuner and sit the carb body on it.

[tbirdscott]

Nothing better than Kleen*Flo Carburetor & Metal Parts Cleaner. Keep any rubber or gaskets away and wear gloves but your carb and jets will come out looking brand new.


Scott

[Dirtcrasher]

For over 20 years I have soaked them in gas and used a parts brush. Then I use carb cleaner to clear out any old gas gunk from the jets and blow it all out with compressed air.

You have to soak em, spray em and brush them with small wire brushes, I use a stainless steel and brass brush to get mine clean. A drill bit with steel wool wrapped around it cleans corrosion from places very well, WD40 helps it clean too.

Some EBAY carb kits are better than others, ask if the fuel bowl gasket is either formed or just one bi9g giant o ring. The oring will not stay in place and is a PITA. I like the form fitted ring.

[RedRider_AK]

ask if the fuel bowl gasket is either formed or just one bi9g giant o ring. The oring will not stay in place and is a PITA. I like the form fitted ring.

I've had that problem myself, where the o-ring doesn't want to stay in the groove and it takes you 50 minutes to put together a single carb. :crazy:

[Somekindofjerk]

I found some liquid gasket holder or sillicon makes that o-ring a cakewalk :)

[DIGGER DOG]

What we use at work is Yamaha carb cleaner I dont know the actual price may be expensive ? but it works great I pour a little in the float bowl drop the jets in
and we have a a big pot filled with it I remove all rubber o rings drop the stripped carb body put it on a hot plate and let it stew for about a half hour or drop in cold and let sit over night stuff works great if you stew it carb comes out like brand new
but if left in too long it turns carb black and then you hace a really big clean up
with the can carb cleaner from auto zone. I work at a dealership so it may not be cost effective though.

[saleen_n_around]

Another solution that I have never tired is to soak it in hot sauce overnight.....not sure what that does to the metal though. Might etch, might not. Never tried it.

[Bryan Raffa]

carb cleaner or any thing like that will make rubber O rings swell,, If soaked for a long time,, its best to remove them,and will be impossible to put together.

[Rustytinhorn]

I have a gallon bucket at home that actually has a little basket and everything you put your parts in and lower it into the cleaner. Leave em in there for about 20 minutes, then you have to take them out and have to rinse them right away. I have been pleased. It works well. You cant put any rubber or o-rings in there though, cuz it will eat them away. But if you want to get a good cleaning those should be removed anyway.
I cant remember what the cleaner is called, but its an official carb cleaner, made specifically for carbs that was bought at an auto store. It costs a bit though.

[saleen_n_around]

Yeah rusty and that stuff stinks like hell too! We used to keep a bucket at our shop and after sitting long enough, it would eat thru the bucket too! Takes like 5 years to do, but that stuff stays that potent that long!

[Rustytinhorn]

Lol, thats the stuff alright. Never smells the same again.

[tbirdscott]

Betcha what you guys have is Kleen*Flo Carburetor & Metal Parts Cleaner. If you get it on your skin people will avoid you for days lol


Scott

[Bo0YaA]

cool thanks guys, guess Ill head to a few auto shops around here and see what they have.

[Dirtcrasher]

Hey, I forgot!!

That dude MOHAWK had found some awesome cleaner for carbs and it made them look super!!

He deleted allot of his posts due to blah blah blah... But I wonder if anyone saved that information??

[the great gazoo]

"Gunk" makes a gallon container with a basket, doesn't stink at all & costs 10-12 bucks, I've been using mine for 5 years now. After the 30 min. soak, rinse with H2O & blow all parts thoroughly with compressed air. I've never had a problem using this stuff.