Author Topic: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner  (Read 8249 times)

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Offline Kong

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A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« on: November 14, 2010, 02:00:25 PM »
There once was a time when you could head to the local auto parts store with $20 in hand and come home with a gallon of carburator cleaner so powerful that it would take the skin right off your fingers.  Great stuff.  When I bought the last gallon I was fortunate enough to get my hands on the fellow behind the counter told me that there were never going to get any more in.  EPA.  Well, what's good for the planet is tolerable, but I sure do miss the old stuff.

A couple of days ago I was out clearing some space in a small building where I will be doing a cafe build over the winter.  As I was cleaning up I ran across a gallon of gun cleaner (Klean Strip, Spray Gun Cleaner, by Barr) that I bought a couple of years ago to clean out a particularly tenacious clog in one of my spray guns.  I used it just once and when I did the resemblance to the old carb cleaner could not be avoided.  Even after all these years the smell was familiar.  I am almost certain that the gun stripper that bought just a couple of years ago is the same stuff as old carb cleaner used to be.  That make sense?  I am very hesitant to dip one of my KeiHin parts into the stuff and was wondering if anyone else had run across this stuff (or similar gun cleaner) and tried it.  By the way, this stuff will eat away epoxy, polyester primer, base coats, clear coat, anything you can put in a gun and it will do it in a matter of minutes.
2002 FXSTD/I  Softail Deuce
2001 Acura (Honda) CL Type-S
1986 Honda Rebel, 450
1978 Honda CB550K
1977 Honda CB550K

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2010, 02:04:25 PM »
You might consider "Simple Green" as an alternative. Works well and much less toxic. Do a search here, you should find several posts about it.
We'll all be someone else's PO some day.

Offline Kong

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2010, 02:07:15 PM »
I've been up to my elbows in Simple Green for the last 4 days cleaning up parts of the two bikes I bought in prep for this build.  To be quite honest about it the stuff does not impress me.

On Edit:  Maybe I shouldn't say it quite that way.  The stuff seems to be a pretty good degreaser.  I am in the habit of using Dawn dish washing detergent for my final wash before I begin paint prep and full strength it seems to be about as good as SG.  That said I don't see it as a valuable cleaner for carbs in any event.  I would think any petroleum based solvent would be better.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2010, 02:13:31 PM by Kong »
2002 FXSTD/I  Softail Deuce
2001 Acura (Honda) CL Type-S
1986 Honda Rebel, 450
1978 Honda CB550K
1977 Honda CB550K

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2010, 03:14:36 PM »
I have used automotive paint reducer to clean carbs with decent success.  Not that cheap though.   
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline medic09

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2010, 06:25:31 PM »
I'm not up to date, but Yamaha used to sell a carb cleaner under their name that was excellent and spared rubber parts.
Mordechai

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'76 Triumph T160 Trident (rebuilding)
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Offline CycleRanger

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2010, 07:29:32 PM »
Most commercial carb cleaning solutions are mostly toluene and/or acetone.  Either will cut the varnish and are safe for metal only.
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
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Offline Sam Green Racing

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2010, 06:26:26 AM »
I soaked a mucky carb in vinegar overnight, came out like new. 8)

Sam. ;)
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Offline mick750F

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2010, 06:58:13 AM »
I'm not up to date, but Yamaha used to sell a carb cleaner under their name that was excellent and spared rubber parts.

   Most unfortunately Yamaha carb cleaner has been discontinued. It's re-usable though so if you have a bottle like I do it should last a long time.

Mike
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2010, 06:17:22 PM »
I've been up to my elbows in Simple Green for the last 4 days cleaning up parts of the two bikes I bought in prep for this build.  To be quite honest about it the stuff does not impress me.

On Edit:  Maybe I shouldn't say it quite that way.  The stuff seems to be a pretty good degreaser.  I am in the habit of using Dawn dish washing detergent for my final wash before I begin paint prep and full strength it seems to be about as good as SG.  That said I don't see it as a valuable cleaner for carbs in any event.  I would think any petroleum based solvent would be better.
I was the first one to post here about Simple Green. I have some float bowls soaking in Gumout for 3 weeks and it did nothing. 2 hours in 100% Simple Green and they were very clean. It does something to break down gasoline varnish. It is now documented all over the place.  

The old school carb cleaner had a lot to toluene in it, which has been removed.
« Last Edit: November 16, 2010, 06:18:53 PM by BobbyR »
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Offline the technological J

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2010, 08:50:40 PM »
kong! when are u gonna start a build thread? i got some great pics for yah!
70 KO...sold to fund the ST http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=88800.0(Alpha)
74 Kaw 250 Enduro http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=124278.0
K4 added to collection! http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=104784.0
78 750K... http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60257.0 (Omega)sold to fund the K4
94 ST1100..Gone
72 750 K2 Stay tuned!

Offline Kong

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2010, 05:57:32 AM »
Hummmmm, Toluene?  Well, if they took it out there's no reason I can't put it back in, is there?

Actually I bought a gallon of modern Carb Cleaner the day before yesterday and while its slow it works.  I believe the can indicated a 20 minute soak would be sufficient, but I had the carbs in for over 2 hours yesterday while I was working on the knee dents.  While I've seen prettier carbs they are in fact clean, so I'll deal with the cosmetic issues later and concern myself with function for now.

It would be an abomination for me to present a build thread, but there may be one on the way anyway.  I have got one bike started ('77 550K) and I'm treating my parts bike (the green bike, '78 550K) as if it is to be rebuilt at a later date, which is to say I'm taking the best parts of those to be kept from either bike and putting them on the '77.  I transfered the titles for both bikes into my name and I've got small parts (carb kits, jets, pods, wheel bearings (F&R), stem bearings, swing arm bushings) ordered but most of my time during the last week has been spent simply reading.  That said I will come up with something for you all, I've taken about 200 photos so far, but I'd sure be happy to look at your pictures because I am a dog and will steal a good idea as soon as look at it  ::)
2002 FXSTD/I  Softail Deuce
2001 Acura (Honda) CL Type-S
1986 Honda Rebel, 450
1978 Honda CB550K
1977 Honda CB550K

Offline the technological J

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Re: A thought on an alternative strong carb cleaner
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2010, 08:45:25 AM »
why did u pick the 77 over the 78?
70 KO...sold to fund the ST http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=88800.0(Alpha)
74 Kaw 250 Enduro http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=124278.0
K4 added to collection! http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=104784.0
78 750K... http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60257.0 (Omega)sold to fund the K4
94 ST1100..Gone
72 750 K2 Stay tuned!