Carb Diaphragm Cleaning

[thefish]

Hey guys,

Finally got around to cleaning the carbs and everything is going well (I'm a complete rookie!).

The diaphragms are in great condition save for the fact that they've got some gunk on them. Not a big deal but taking it off is harder than I thought it'd be. I soaked them in gas beforehand and was able to get most of the crude off but now that it's dry and stuck on, it's not playing nice. Just some dried up crude around the top rim of two of them. Any suggestions on cleaning these?

 

[2_DONE_THE_TON]

Hey guys,

Finally got around to cleaning the carbs and everything is going well (I'm a complete rookie!).

The diaphragms are in great condition save for the fact that they've got some gunk on them. Not a big deal but taking it off is harder than I thought it'd be. I soaked them in gas beforehand and was able to get most of the crude off but now that it's dry and stuck on, it's not playing nice. Just some dried up crude around the top rim of two of them. Any suggestions on cleaning these?

Interesting, never had crud on the diaphragms.I guess I don´t need to tell you how rare and expensive those can be don´t ask how I found out
Be really careful with using any solvent on rubbers, I once destroyed seals by using petroleum...they expanded beyond use.
could you post some pics?maybe soaking them in wd40 overnight would help?

 

[thefish]

Interesting, never had crud on the diaphragms.I guess I don´t need to tell you how rare and expensive those can be don´t ask how I found out
Be really careful with using any solvent on rubbers, I once destroyed seals by using petroleum...they expanded beyond use.
could you post some pics?maybe soaking them in wd40 overnight would help?

Thanks for the help!
No pics on me at the moment but I can look into that. Two of them just a little boogered up underneath the rim at the widest section of the diaphragm.

Also, thinking of soaking some hoses in DOT5 brake fluid to ensure they're good to go. Is there a time limit I should be looking for?

 

[datadavid]

You can dunk the diaphragms in glycerol iirc. Good that you remove the crap from them, they would soon crack otherwise.

 

[jpmobius]

I'd go with hot water and dish soap and a soft tooth brush first, then try WD-40. I'd be super careful of anything stronger. Diaphragms are usually pretty isolated from gasoline so you probably don't need to dissolve residue from the fuel. Which side of the diaphragms are affected? Definitely no brake fluid ever on anything! If your talking fuel lines, soak them in fuel, not brake fluid. Most times they soften up enough to use again. Keep in mind on whatever you clean or "rejuvenate", the materials you use to clean with can interact with the materials you are trying to clean, and sometimes this is not evident on the spot. Start with mild techniques first and work your way up to more severe. And don't forget to keep alcohol in mind in your arsenal of cleaners. Many things completely unaffected by water or strong petro chems like carb cleaner or acetone rinse off easily in alcohol.

 

[thefish]

I'd go with hot water and dish soap and a soft tooth brush first, then try WD-40. I'd be super careful of anything stronger. Diaphragms are usually pretty isolated from gasoline so you probably don't need to dissolve residue from the fuel. Which side of the diaphragms are affected? Definitely no brake fluid ever on anything! If your talking fuel lines, soak them in fuel, not brake fluid. Most times they soften up enough to use again. Keep in mind on whatever you clean or "rejuvenate", the materials you use to clean with can interact with the materials you are trying to clean, and sometimes this is not evident on the spot. Start with mild techniques first and work your way up to more severe. And don't forget to keep alcohol in mind in your arsenal of cleaners. Many things completely unaffected by water or strong petro chems like carb cleaner or acetone rinse off easily in alcohol.

Soap and water sounds good. The outer portion of the diaphragm that fans out is what has some dried gunk on it. It's right at the top under the lip.
No brake fluid for rubber parts? I've heard it restores things like O-rings and hoses.

 

[thefish]

For the carbs as a whole, I'm going to dip them in Berryman Chem-dip carb and parts cleaner and let it soak.
Two questions -

How long should I be letting them soak?
The instructions say to rinse with water and then apply Berryman e-z Doz It to prevent flash rusting. I can't find that product online. Is there something else out there that you'd recommend using to prevent rust?

 

[wanted9]

Hey for the diaphragm, they have already expanded so when you put it back on, your going to have to guess and check by throwing theme the microwave so they shrink


Sent from my iPad using DO THE TON

 

[hillsy]

The gunk on your diaphragm is probably some sort of glue to fix a tear.

 

[datadavid]

I'd go with hot water and dish soap and a soft tooth brush first, then try WD-40. I'd be super careful of anything stronger. Diaphragms are usually pretty isolated from gasoline so you probably don't need to dissolve residue from the fuel. Which side of the diaphragms are affected? Definitely no brake fluid ever on anything! If your talking fuel lines, soak them in fuel, not brake fluid. Most times they soften up enough to use again. Keep in mind on whatever you clean or "rejuvenate", the materials you use to clean with can interact with the materials you are trying to clean, and sometimes this is not evident on the spot. Start with mild techniques first and work your way up to more severe. And don't forget to keep alcohol in mind in your arsenal of cleaners. Many things completely unaffected by water or strong petro chems like carb cleaner or acetone rinse off easily in alcohol.

Thats why glycerol should be used, thats the stuff to refresh rubber, not brake fluid!

 

[thefish]

Thats why glycerol should be used, thats the stuff to refresh rubber, not brake fluid!

Thank you! Could you be more specific as to what I should be looking for? I can't find glycerol iirc

 

[datadavid]

Should be available at your local pharmacy