Author Topic: My carbs stink (Read 3470 times)

csendker · « **on:** November 28, 2005, 06:21:33 AM »

Literally, not figuratively. I bought a spare set on e-bay to rebuild, so I don't trash the ones on the bike (first attempted rebuild). The problem is that between the old gas and carb cleaner spray, they smell - real bad. Any way of getting the stink out? My garage is getting a bit too cold to work in, and bringing these in the house is out of the question - they have already stunk up the garage. Besides, there's enough volitle fumes to scare the heck out of me as my workbench is next to the furnace (ka-boom!).

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2005, 06:37:30 AM »

Boy, does this sound familiar

. I first cleaned my carbs a year ago using ChemDip. Really nasty smelling stuff and did not do the job for me. I cleaned them again with Yamaha cleaner. Not nearly as nasty, even did them in the basement. If you get enough of it (I bought two bottles) and find a can just large enough to accommodate one carb body and parts, you can put everything in there and cover it with foil or something and let them soak. Remove all, blow out jets and passages, and reuse what's in the can for the next carb, etc. The stuff is reusable so funnel it back into the bottle(s) when you are done. It worked great for mine.

Dennis · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2005, 06:47:20 AM »

Furnace in the garage, huh?

I didn't know they did things like that in NY state.
Why are you worried?

You park your car in there don't you? You keep other power equipment (mower, blower) in there? You store fuel in there in portable containers?

Normally when a combustion appliance (or non-explosion proof electrical device) is installed in a garage, they are installed at least 18" above the floor. The theory is that fuel fumes are heavier than air.

I am only commenting on how things are normaly done. I am not suggesting what you should do. Use this information at your own risk. I don't know what kind of chemicals you are using.

dusterdude · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2005, 06:59:10 AM »

dennis,you forget he`s in new york,thats almost like being in california.

Dennis · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2005, 07:11:37 AM »

Quote from: dusterdude on November 28, 2005, 06:59:10 AM

dennis,you forget he`s in new york,thats almost like being in california.

But he's way upstate, nothing like being in the CITY!

dusterdude · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2005, 07:50:45 AM »

uh huh

csendker · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2005, 08:01:09 AM »

No, both the furnace and workbench are in my nice, warm basement. But, I can't bring them in or the wife will kill me before I have a chance to blow up the house. I'm currently working in an unheated garage; freezing my butt off.

Dennis · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2005, 08:08:13 AM »

hris,

see Bob's comments above or heat the garage

I like the idea of heating the garage

csendker · « **Reply #8 on:** November 28, 2005, 10:02:01 AM »

I like the idea of a heated garage too, but wishful thinking for now - I seem to be spending too much on motorcycle parts.

Am I to assume I should take the bank apart and soak each one (of the four) at a time? From other posts, I thought it was best to strip everything off but leave them together as a bank of four.

I took the float covers off and they were pretty gummed up, so I keep blasting them with a spray can of carb cleaner, trying to free everything up. Two of the floats are still stuck.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2005, 10:06:42 AM »

I removed mine from the backing plate/stay and dismantled each one, keeping the parts for each together so everything ended up back in the same carb body. Necessary? Not sure, but figured it the best thing to do.

mwvachon · « **Reply #10 on:** November 28, 2005, 10:11:15 AM »

Hey,

I had the same problem - only I didn't realize it! A friend walked into my garage and nearly keeled over from the smell(s). Guess i had just gotten used to it, because most of my antiques leak fuel from time-to-time.
One method for carb cleaning I am looking to try out is boiling metal parts in a solution of vinegar and water. Not only leaves a fresher scent, but a bit easier on good old mother nature, also. Anyone else aware of this?

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2005, 10:14:15 AM »

Though weak, vinegar is an acid which I would not think was great for aluminum, but will wait to see if someone has successfully done this.

M3JOC · « **Reply #12 on:** November 28, 2005, 10:20:49 AM »

Hi, Yep i use vinegar to clean carb bodies and all ally parts, its not to smelly and puts you in the mood for fish and chips (french fries). All you have to do is wash it off with some hot soapy water after, job done.
Laters

Bob

csendker · « **Reply #13 on:** November 28, 2005, 10:37:58 AM »

So far, I've kept everything I pulled off in separate, numbered tupperware containers. I'm going slooooooooow, and taking a zillion pictures. Considering you have to be 18 to buy carb cleaner (in NY), I'm guessing the fumes aren't too good for you. Would the vinegar solution attack the rubber parts or floats? Maybe that would help loosen everything up.

mwvachon · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2005, 10:46:48 AM »

Recommend you remove & inspect all rubber parts BEFORE the cleaning. Rubber, over time, has a tendency to develop cracks and such. Carefully inspect all boots, seals, and 'O' rings for such degradation or swelling (will obviously no long fiit back in their intended locations). Replace anything that looks questionable - you don't want to have to do this work twice, eh? I would NOT put any rubber parts in the heated solution or apply any solvents to them. Instead, wash them with warm soapy water. This should do the triick for you.

MRieck · « **Reply #15 on:** November 28, 2005, 11:10:00 AM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on November 28, 2005, 06:37:30 AM

Boy, does this sound familiar . I first cleaned my carbs a year ago using ChemDip. Really nasty smelling stuff and did not do the job for me. I cleaned them again with Yamaha cleaner. Not nearly as nasty, even did them in the basement. If you get enough of it (I bought two bottles) and find a can just large enough to accommodate one carb body and parts, you can put everything in there and cover it with foil or something and let them soak. Remove all, blow out jets and passages, and reuse what's in the can for the next carb, etc. The stuff is reusable so funnel it back into the bottle(s) when you are done. It worked great for mine.

The Yamaha cleaner rules. I use 6 to 8 bottles and submerge the entire rack. The Yamaha cleaner DOES NOT hurt rubber orings etc. In fact it restores pliability. I have soaked disassembled carbs as well as complete sets with no problems. A great product.

Lumbee · « **Reply #16 on:** November 28, 2005, 01:01:04 PM »

...remember, its a marathon, not a race. Go ahead and tear them down completely. Boil or soak the carb bodies so you know all the passages are clean...or at least you have the best shot at getting them clean. When u'r done u know they'll be clean (hopfully) and won't be wondering if u'v got a clogged passage way somewhere. How much did u pay for the carbs? A good set of clean and "running" carbs pull a pretty penny off Ebay. Do it right the first time and it will save u time in the long run.

cd811 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 28, 2005, 04:18:09 PM »

I'm not laughing at you but with you??!!
those are some GREEN carbs!!!!daM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cleaned and rebuilt mine in my bedroom(i had 3 #$%* sets to make 1 good set) while my wife was gone. it was too late for her to stop me...lol...I use a lot of aerosal-type carb cleaner...works great...and cheap...just wear safty glasses!!

csendker · « **Reply #18 on:** November 28, 2005, 06:28:42 PM »

$26.99 + $9.76 shipping = $38.05

I needed 022A's, and wasn't sure these were it, but they came with the intake manifolds & manifold boots so I figured if they were a later model, at least they could be bolted on (I read somewhere on the forum here the PD's had a slightly different body, and wouldn't bolt directly to the 022A's manifolds). I lucked out; 022A's they be.

They aren't that green, I uploaded the wrong pic (right carb, wrong contrast):

mick750F · « **Reply #19 on:** November 28, 2005, 06:54:01 PM »

Recently I completely disassembled a bank of carbs. Before I went at it they seemed pretty clean but I thought it would be a good idea to break them down. Both to check on their condition and to get to know them better. I'm glad I did. They needed more than I thought they would and now I know them much better. If you're willing to take them off the bike and pull parts out of them while they're together then you should go ahead and break them down completely. It's just another step that isn't that hard to keep track of. In the long run you'll be happy you did.

And get some kind of heater for your garage/sanctuary man.

Mike

mrbreeze · « **Reply #20 on:** November 28, 2005, 07:13:32 PM »

Yeah...you're better off taking them all the way down.chem dip ,Yamaha cleaner,etc.....kit em'and put em' back.Compressed air is a good thing to have also.I work at a transmission shop but its 25 miles from home.When I did mine,I just took 2 carbs at a time to work.Let em' sit in carb dip all day while I was working (going over and agitating the can every now & then).At the end of the day, I washed everything down real good and used a real hi-pressure blow gun(Snap-on)to blow everything off real good.You should pay close attention to blowing out all small passageways air bleeds,etc.When reassembling,use WD-40 to lube everything up real good.It's a bit of work but the end result is worth it.ENJOY!!!!

csendker · « **Reply #21 on:** November 28, 2005, 07:36:03 PM »

These are a spare set I bought, not off the bike. I got them specifically to learn on, and hopefully bolt on in the spring. It actually all started because I get a crappy 28-30 MPG. I seem to be running rich, but I didn't want to terminally screw up a functioning set of carbs as I only have one bike (dead carbs = dead bike = no ride = no joy in Mudville). I figure I'll totally tear them down & do a complete rebuild. I get to learn & a real clean set (hopefully) for the spring. And if I trash them, I still ride.

Let the games begin!

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Author Topic: My carbs stink (Read 3470 times)

M3JOC

cd811