Author Topic: Simple Green to clean carbs  (Read 19591 times)

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Offline Sockeye

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Simple Green to clean carbs
« on: February 23, 2016, 01:01:27 PM »
I'm getting ready to clean up the carbs in my homemade ultrasonic cleaner (palm sander strapped to a container) and I've picked up a jug of the all purpose simple green to make the cleaning solution. I was just browsing to figure out the mixture ratio and it seems that people say not to use the all purpose but to use the Pro HD, as its safer on aluminum.

Whats the 2 cent on this because I've read both, that its safe, while other say no?
'76 CB750F
'97 VF750C

Offline flybox1

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2016, 02:07:10 PM »
ive used the 'green' SG many times as a quick cleaner, carbs need a good rinsing afterwards.
soaking carbs in the 'green' will lead to discoloration(darker) and calcification.  its mildly acidic.
Pine sol is even more acidic and should be avoiced.
if youre doing a long soak, id go with the 'purple' SG....
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Offline Kenzo

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2016, 02:29:38 PM »
:)
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Offline Scott S

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2016, 02:46:17 PM »
 Just use 50/50 and really hot water. Be sure to rinse them really well when done and follow up with carb cleaner and compressed air. I've found that Simple Green will clean them, but it mostly softens up stuff so that the carb cleaner and air work better. It will discolor them if you leave them in too long. Just makes them dark gray.
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Offline Sockeye

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2016, 02:57:05 PM »
I've gone with the purple juice and have it rigged up to run for an hour. I'll post my findings when complete.

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'97 VF750C

Offline Sockeye

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2016, 04:06:41 PM »
The jury is in... After an hour in the poor mans ultrasonic cleaner, and a quick rinse of with water and a tooth brush.


And here is a comparison of a carb in cleaned up with chemicals and brushes.



I think I'll run this other one thru the washer and see if it improves.
'76 CB750F
'97 VF750C

Offline madmtnmotors

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2016, 05:09:50 PM »
I use straight simple green (green) in my ultrasonic cleaner and limit exposure to 25 minutes. Over 30 minutes and the aluminum will begin to darken.



Before (yuck):



After (suhweet):




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Wilbur



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Offline mystic_1

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2016, 06:31:48 PM »


Bloody hell that's ingenious, nice job man.

Carbs look good!  How well did the internal passages clean up?

mystic_1
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Offline camelman

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2016, 07:21:52 PM »
Thank you! I just learned that I have a parts cleaner! :)
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Offline Kickstart

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2016, 07:59:13 PM »
Ha!... awesome sockeye!

Technically not ultrasonic - but I notice a lot of guys are using too small of an ultrasonic cleaner and aren't really getting any ultrasonic cleaning action anyway.  I would argue that your set-up cleans better than most guys ultrasonic cleaners.

I use the Simple Green Purple/HD in my ultrasonic cleaner and it seems very safe.  I've also soaked aluminum engine parts (covers and stuff) in it for days and haven't noticed any etching - but I have noticed etching when I did it with the green stuff.
- Chris
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Offline Sockeye

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2016, 11:15:35 PM »

:)

I have to say this parts cleaner is "bad ass"
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2016, 11:26:00 PM »
The cleaner is not important. The only thing needed is that dirt particles once loose don't stick again, so any detergent for washing dishes will do. I'd avoid agressive cleaners that maybe do more harm than good.
My carbs never needed ultrasonic treatment and I was never tempted to experiment as, quite simply, u.t. is not a guarantee. So why go through the hassle of separating carbs. The clean and shiny outside, that's always proudly presented in pictures, won't last long and is no guarantee. Most carbs can be cleaned quite well the oldfashioned way (without separating!) and u.t should be considered a last attempt.
What I do advise is adding some sort of a fuel treatment if you don't operate your motor daily.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2016, 12:10:12 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline gtmdriver

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2016, 12:55:31 AM »
I have always used dishwasher LIQUID detergent in my cleaner and it works very well.

Here's a before and after of a pair of BMW throttle bodies.



These results are from ultrasonic cleaning only.

Offline Sockeye

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2016, 06:03:31 AM »
I honestly didn't see much if any difference using my ghetto setup vs just a plain soak. I was kinda intrigued by this ultrasonic cleaning so I figured why not see if this half ass method might work. It's not like it cost me any money or any extensive amount of time. It was entertaining to see what people will rig up to try and make tasks easier, and they all deserve 5 ichiban moto stickers.

I'm sure I could have left them on the rack and still achieved a cleaning so they operate properly but this is my new baby so I want to take the time and detail what I can.  In the end I did learn the value of a good soak vs cleaning with harsh chemicals, as I always have. Although am still using brake cleaner to blast out the passages at the end.
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Offline mystic_1

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2016, 06:12:24 AM »
Actually I'm betting the agitation helped quite a bit, even if it's not really ultrasonic cleaning.  Helps keep the fluid moving around and disperse the dissolved gunk.  At the very least it helped accelerate the cleaning process.

Even when using just a plain carb dip I will agitate the can occasionally by hand.

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Offline Kickstart

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2016, 06:23:19 AM »
+1

I think agitation definitely helps... heat also makes a significant difference.  The combination of the two works really well.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2016, 06:26:10 AM »
I wonder what these tablets I saw in the supermarket today can do. They're ment to clean artificial teeth in a glass of water and they are full of sodium bicarbonate. Anybody tried them?
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Offline przjohn

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2016, 07:22:51 AM »
I did an experiment last year restoring a 400F. I took 1 carb and soaked in in a gallon of carb Cleaner and the other in Pinesol. The Carb Cleaner carb came out noticeably cleaner, and for less money per gallon than Pinesol. The most recent set I had Vapor Blasted and like the look. If you are going to go through the work to pull the rack out of the bike I think taking the carbs apart and clean thoroughly just makes sense.

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Offline flybox1

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2016, 07:40:53 AM »
PineSol is acidic and will slowly deteriorate the metals in your carbs.  It should not be used as a 'soak'. 

I wonder what these tablets I saw in the supermarket today can do. They're ment to clean artificial teeth in a glass of water and they are full of sodium bicarbonate. Anybody tried them?
Good idea.  I might just try this.  I have a 'corroded beyond use' set of PD41 bodies.
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #19 on: February 24, 2016, 08:15:50 AM »
 
Quote
If you are going to go through the work to pull the rack out of the bike I think taking the carbs apart and clean thoroughly just makes sense.
I don't think so. If the outside of the carbs is your concern, be prepared they'll be dirty again in no time, especially on CB500/550s with their notorious oilleaks.
BTW, the dealer I once discussed ultrasonic cleaning, had a u.c with a bassin big enough for a whole rack. He used to remove the floatbowls, jets and stuff but the rack went in in one piece.
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Offline Sockeye

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #20 on: February 24, 2016, 08:26:59 AM »
Another option I was wondering about is oxy-clean. I use a similar chemical (pretty much unscented oxy-clean with a higher price tag) to clean my beer brewing equipment, which works awesome, as those little bubble scrub away and loosen up the nasty residue left from fermentation. I didn't try it as I wasn't sure about its effects of aluminum. I only use it on stainless and glass.

I did use hot water and SG in my rig, but when I compared it a soak for the same amount of time there was only a slightly less cleaning effect I noticed, so that made me feel like it wasn't worth the extra effort.
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Offline flybox1

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #21 on: February 24, 2016, 08:32:18 AM »
Its amazing what a brew of (80/20) hot water and Purple ZEP Commercial Degreaser, elbow grease and a few scrub brushes can accomplish  ;D
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
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Offline Kenzo

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #22 on: February 24, 2016, 08:33:00 AM »
PineSol is acidic and will slowly deteriorate the metals in your carbs.  It should not be used as a 'soak'. 

Simple Green and many of the "cleaners" will also etch aluminum...I still use them but limit the time and rinse thoroughly.

It's my go-to for cleaning my dirtbike, spray on Simple Green full strength and hose off followed by towel drying.

On naturally colored anodized aluminum rims it will alter the finish if left on too long.

Cheers,
Kenzo

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Offline Redline it

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #23 on: February 24, 2016, 12:29:01 PM »
I did an experiment last year restoring a 400F. I took 1 carb and soaked in in a gallon of carb Cleaner and the other in Pinesol. The Carb Cleaner carb came out noticeably cleaner, and for less money per gallon than Pinesol. The most recent set I had Vapor Blasted and like the look. If you are going to go through the work to pull the rack out of the bike I think taking the carbs apart and clean thoroughly just makes sense.



There'd be a hard battle to beat the carb cleaner, especially the stuff getting banned because of hazardous chemicals to the earth. I'm finding out lately anything that claims it's safe to use around children and animals is not going to be good enough even if on the same warning lable it says keep out of the reach of children-keep on shopping. Like gasket remover, aerosol Permatex, used to work excellent, now they have some "new" children safe and approved squirt bottle with a brush on it for 10 bucks....it doesn't work at all  on my gaskets, tried 3 times on breather cover,  didn't phase it. 

Offline Airborne 82nd

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Re: Simple Green to clean carbs
« Reply #24 on: February 24, 2016, 08:49:26 PM »
I wonder what these tablets I saw in the supermarket today can do. They're ment to clean artificial teeth in a glass of water and they are full of sodium bicarbonate. Anybody tried them?

This got me to thinking ( doesn't happen very often ) ;D What about Alka-Seltzer with the carb cleaner? ???
 
http://www.alkaseltzer.com/as/effervescence.html