Author Topic: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?  (Read 20739 times)

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bollingball

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #25 on: December 05, 2011, 06:31:46 AM »
I would like to try one but I would still use a wire and comp.air and spray carb cleaner to prove all passage ways are clear. So I will spend money else where. Now if I get one given to me I would use it ;D I'm talking about cleaning not for looks. I think the sonic will loosen the crude up but don't see it moving the stuff out. IMHO

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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #26 on: December 05, 2011, 01:40:13 PM »
It will loosen it up and if the passage way is very small it will take more time to move it out. Generally, you don't need to use the carb cleaners on them after they've gone through the ultrasonic. High pressure air after  a thorough rinsing with water to flush most water soluble cleaners can help. If the passage size is known then a numbered drill that is slightly smaller can be used by hand to check the passage, if it is a straight passage. With it being the same size or smaller, it won't remove material if you are using it with your fingers or a small pinvise. (Not that you can't force it to do so... with a pin vise.)
As always, care is recommended.

The fluid is moving quite well by the ultrasonic waves in the cleaner as you can see bubbles and swirl in the solutions while the ultrasonic cleaner is on. You know it is also moving the dirt out as the solutions is getting darker and dirtier.
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Offline CoachDoc

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #27 on: December 05, 2011, 02:00:25 PM »
It's crazy to quibble over how good these methods may be. They will both get your carbs clean- very clean. I do think the U/S will do a much quicker job, however. 20 minutes in the U/S = overnight in carb cleaner, IMO. One other thing to consider- using carb cleaner in a bucket requires that at some point you dispose of some of the most nasty, and probably carcinogenic chemicals around. I use them myself, but only to spray the small orifices, and then at arm's length so to speak. I sure like the idea of just pouring some used Simple Green down the drain a lot better.

Offline magconpres

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #28 on: December 05, 2011, 10:12:27 PM »
The other thing I use to clean things is an old slow cooker I got at a thrift shop for 5 bucks.  Sort of a poor man's hot tank.
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #29 on: December 07, 2011, 11:00:20 AM »
magconpres,
good idea...that would be a way to hot soak them...don't want to do it on high though or all your solvents would be gone...  That's why I like the purple biodegradeable Simple Green and Water...it's non-toxic and you have water evaporating so you could make it a weaker solution that normal and let it become stronger as water "cooks-off", not to exceed recommendations though.

David
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Offline gnarlycharlie4u

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #30 on: December 07, 2011, 11:04:10 AM »
I got a decent one off of ebay.
One of the best investments I've made. It does a great job when used properly and has yet to blow up on me.
http://gnarlywrench.blogspot.com/2011/05/cleaning-bs-34-carbs-from-81-xs650.html

Offline magconpres

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #31 on: December 18, 2011, 11:12:55 PM »
magconpres,
good idea...that would be a way to hot soak them...don't want to do it on high though or all your solvents would be gone...  That's why I like the purple biodegradeable Simple Green and Water...it's non-toxic and you have water evaporating so you could make it a weaker solution that normal and let it become stronger as water "cooks-off", not to exceed recommendations though.

David

I haven't notice much change in volume after a few hours (I keep the lid on).  I do use the purple Simple Green in it.  I like the idea of watering it down a bit.
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Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #32 on: December 19, 2011, 01:54:29 AM »
Quote
Waste of money.

Carb cleaner and compressed air and brushes will do a better job.


+1

+2, huge waste of money
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Offline sandman

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #33 on: June 02, 2013, 09:06:08 AM »
I'd like to bump this thread- it's too relevant to us owners of vintage carbs and ultrasonic cleaners to disappear. What solutions are others using successfully in their ultrasonic cleaners? I've read of a few owners having their own secret solutions that they won't disclose. Something must work better than Simple Green on petroleum based varnish. BTW, put me in the camp that loves their ultrasonic cleaner- once you learn how to use them, you'll find it to be a great shop tool.
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Offline Lost and Confused

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #34 on: June 02, 2013, 09:50:55 AM »
I plan on getting one for my reloading duties, but will use it for my bike pieces as well. Since my rifle cases are brass, would simple green (purple) be good to use as well.



Bob

Offline reddyvv

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #35 on: June 02, 2013, 01:35:02 PM »
Just a quick word of caution on using any cleaners that will damage plastic. Some of the early carbs like the 022A's have a small plastic pin that serves as a guide for the throttle slide. If you destroy that you'll be in trouble.

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #36 on: June 02, 2013, 11:52:45 PM »
I'd like to bump this thread- it's too relevant to us owners of vintage carbs and ultrasonic cleaners to disappear. What solutions are others using successfully in their ultrasonic cleaners? I've read of a few owners having their own secret solutions that they won't disclose. Something must work better than Simple Green on petroleum based varnish. BTW, put me in the camp that loves their ultrasonic cleaner- once you learn how to use them, you'll find it to be a great shop tool.

I haven't found my ultrasonic-er to be of much use. I've tried many solutions of stuff, including one I hoped would catch fire and burn it up (but didn't, and didn't clean any better, either...). I've found that 3 minutes with a soda blaster, followed by a trip thru the faucet, then a soak in xylol for a few hours, makes them look new. With the U-cleaner, multiple days of run time didn't even clean the fuel feed passages to the float valves, let alone the smaller passages.

It won't clean much, really... :(
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Offline Rudi91

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #37 on: June 03, 2013, 04:35:54 AM »
I'd like to bump this thread- it's too relevant to us owners of vintage carbs and ultrasonic cleaners to disappear. What solutions are others using successfully in their ultrasonic cleaners? I've read of a few owners having their own secret solutions that they won't disclose. Something must work better than Simple Green on petroleum based varnish. BTW, put me in the camp that loves their ultrasonic cleaner- once you learn how to use them, you'll find it to be a great shop tool.

I've recently had my carbs cleaned by someone who has been ultrasonic cleaning model airplanes and carbs for well over 20 years. He said he had tried many fluids etc. including the water especially made for ultrasonic carb cleaning. But nothing worked as good as a mixture of water, Dasty and Dubro. Those last two are degreasers and cleaning detergents, he told me to get those two specifically because other ones would not produce the same result.
He had a small cleaner which fitted 2 carbs without the bowls. Took about 20mins per 2 carbs I think to clean em.

The result:


I did soda blast the carbs before ultra sonic cleaning em btw just to get the extra nasty stuff off of it.
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Offline Muckinfuss

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #38 on: June 04, 2013, 07:06:16 AM »
Hell, I'll throw my 2c's worth into this foray.  I don't care if you are for or against ultrasonic cleaning....I'm going to continue to do it anyway... since  I've been using ultrasonic cleaning in engine building for years....and... I've gone through all sorts of 'ways' of doing things.  Since experience is what you get when you don't get what you want...here's the result of my experience.....nothing is 100%!  I've cleaned pistons with the rings still on, I've cleaned valves, chains and so forth.  I've save thousands of dollars making perfectly serviceable race engines without buying new stuff to get them racing.

1.Brushes, wires, soaking and compressed air do not get into the hidden passages.  If you know there aren't any hidden passages in your carbs,..then an ultrasonic method won't help you.  I'll introduce you to several people who thought they 'got it all' and then had to do the job over.  Their 'Experience'.
2.Not all aluminum alloys are the same.  This is why one person will get a nice clean result and another will get black or brown streaking with the same cleaning solution formula.  Anyone who had a post war British bike and a post war Japanese bike knows clearly that all aluminum is not created equal.
3.Simple Green is not simple.  Look at the MSDS....or jump to #6.  If you are doing aluminum...never and I mean never use any acid of any kind if it's already polished.  Never, and I mean never use highly alkali cleaners as well (dishwasher soap, washing machine soaps, Lestoil, yadda, yadda)....for the same reasons.  Carb cleaners say clearly on their packaging...not responsible for aluminum components or plastic/rubber.
4. Soda blasting give a great and clean finish that doesn't pose a hazard like beads (glass or plastic).  Perfect for the cosmetic parts.
5. In my ultra sonic, which is nothing more than a cheapo HF 2.5L model....I use water from my reverse osmosis filter and.....either Mother's or Eagle One Aluminum Wheel cleaning liquid for POLISHED UN-COATED wheels to clean anything aluminum.  I add two to four tablespoons of it to the water.  For other metals...I will use Fantastic or 409 in the water.
6. From a study done for the USAF by Daniel T. Witt, lLt, USAF,Environmental Program Manager,Directorate of Material Management,San Antonio Air Logistics Center............"Results : The product, Simple Green, was corrosive to the
aluminum specimens on both immersion and sandwich teStS We do
not recommend the use of this product on Air Force equipment
containing aluminum,........"

Ultrasonic cleaners provide heat and sonic waves that remove stuff you can't see and can see.  You can remove the stuff you can see in quite a few different ways.  Not the stuff you can't see.  Your cleaning agent is nothing more than a surfactant....IE; you are making the water wetter.  Just like detergent in the washing machine or the dishwasher.  What you want is the wettest water you can achieve without damaging the metals.  Good luck with your projects!
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Offline MarshallCS

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #39 on: March 17, 2014, 01:56:19 AM »
If anyone is unhappy with their ultrasonic cleaner, I'd be happy to purchase it from you if it's in good shape.
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Offline solo 2

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #40 on: March 17, 2014, 08:40:28 AM »
My ultrasonic cleaner is one of the best garage investments I ever made and as Muckinfuss said it's all about experience. Mine works great and I don't have to f**k around with goopy cleaners and noxious solvents...and I've used most of them. The biggest problem I've seen on forums is guys crying the blues that their cleaner doesn't work, all using HF $70 jewelry cleaners. The old you get what you pay for, mine was $250 off of Ebay. For someone who is doing one set of carbs it might not be worth it, but it is invaluable to me as I have quite a few projects going at any time. I throw in anything that will fit, also never have to worry about rubber or plastic, it goes in too.

I use mostly Simple Green in mine but the key is very little, like a 1/4 cup in 6 liters.

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Offline 750K

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #41 on: March 17, 2014, 09:44:21 AM »
Gotta agree with the "you get what you pay for" with ultrasonics, I've been using them for around 14 years at work. The quality ones work wonders, the #$%* ones are not so good. Quality = expensive when it comes to ultrasonic cleaners.

I've got a small $100 jewelers ultrasonic at home, plenty strong for small things like jets, needles and petcock parts/bodies. Would I try and do a carb body, probably not. I have a system that works fast and doesn't require splitting of the rack.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2014, 09:47:51 AM by 750K »
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Offline lucky

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Re: Has anyone purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to use for carbs?
« Reply #42 on: March 17, 2014, 10:22:44 AM »
I also bought the larger Harbor Freight sonic cleaner. I think it works great but I also followed up with some soda blasting of the carb bodies.

Here are my carbs going back together. I did polish the carb bowls.
BTW... this was my first carb set rebuild. I assembled them and took them apart several times before I got it right.

I did get it right and now I know...



Ooops,wrong info.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2014, 10:25:15 AM by lucky »