Topic: Hard white carb corrosion!

[Don R]

  Three of my K0 carbs had the dreaded white carburetor corrosion, it's not fluffy/white type, it's the gnarly hard deposits kind. I had a spare #1 so that leaves #2 and #4.
  They have done a few cycles through the ultrasonic cleaner and haven't improved a lot. A short soak in warm vinegar may have helped but no miracle cures are happening.
  Is it realistic to hope they can stay cleaned or are the bodies damaged enough that they will continue to corrode even if I get them cleaned up? 
  Any other cleaning tips?

[spotty]

soda blasting ?

[seanbarney41]

In the past, I have just get off what you can and run them   If it is a cosmetic problem on the outside of carbs 1 and 4 well? what ya gonna do.  Actual carb cleaner that comes in a bucket (Gunk brand is the best by far imo)has gotten the most off for me, even that has not gotten all of it.  After some miles, have another look back in there, and it seems nice fresh gas takes away the white and leaves the damaged aluminum.  I have not had it effect the operation of the carb.

[Don R]

 Thanks, the combination of simple green, simply awesome and then a soak in vinegar reduced the white a lot but the finisher was just WD40, it seemed either to detach the white from the metal or maybe just disguise it. Thankfully the outsides are pretty nice looking.
 The set that I made from parts turned out nicer than the set I've been saving for a decade. Floats ordered, float valves not yet.
  Spotty, I considered the soda blaster, it's next if I'm not happy with the results so far. I got called in to work an election tomorrow so the carbs are rinsed and WD40'd.

[M 750K6]

Autosol and a toothbrush.

[Ozzybud]

I use this Stuff and then ultrasonic. They come out looking like new.

[MauiK3]

Photo?

[seanbarney41]

I use this Stuff and then ultrasonic. They come out looking like new.

Yeah, berryman's works ok...or you can use the Gunk brand for 15min., skip the ultrasonic, and they come out like new

[Ozzybud]

The Ultrasonic cleaner is critical for breaking loose debris in the small passages and orifices. I would never skip that step in a Carb rebuild. Berrymans loosens it up Ultrasonic get it out.

[seanbarney41]

Actually, that is completely false.  Ultrasonic vibrations are only capable of penetrating less than a certain amount of mm into a passage drilled though a solid casting.  The larger the diameter of the passage, the further the vibrations can penetrate.  So if you think your ultrasonic is the ultimate weapon for idle air bleeds or the passages in your cv carbs, think again.  You basically are relying on a sink full of hot dishwater...which ironically enough is often all that's absolutely needed.

Ultrasonics are super convenient, neat, environmentally friendly, and generally even smell good.  The sound is mildly nerve grating, but hey, it's easily gotten use to or drowned out.  Generally a fabulous shop tool when you can throw parts in, set the timer, and get busy with something else.  They are not miracle workers guaranteed to solve all your problems.  Chemical problems still require chemical solutions.

[Ozzybud]

We will have to agree to disagree on this one. Experience and Google are on my side.
Ultrasonic cleaners will unclog jets and passages where chemicals and compressed air will not

Please post what works for you not de- bunking what works for others.

[seanbarney41]

that is what I am telling you...been doing this for 20 years now.  I have used every thing.  Gunk brand carb cleaner in the gallon bucket is THE best thing there is...cleanest, fastest.  It's horrible nasty chemical that burns your skin and is likely banned in several states, but damn it works good and does not remove the phosphorescent coating on old Keihin carbs or damage rubber parts.