Cleaning carbs with Brake Cleaner

[Cafebuilder]

Hey guys I just got some CB350 carbs that have some (alot) of varnish in them. Most of which is in the float bowl but there are some other spots that have it. I have some Brake spray cleaner and am trying to figure out the best and most effective way to remove it efficiently. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[SONICJK]

Cleaning carbs with Brake Cleaner

Brake cleaner is much much better than carb cleaner. I use it all the time.
Just don't let it get on anything plastic or rubber.
Also be real careful with it and only use non chlorinated.
Wear safety glasses because it will get shot in your eye otherwise which is unpleasant.

 

[Cafebuilder]

Ya I have Car Quest Brake Part Cleaner. I just don't know the best way to go about it.

 

[Rich Ard]

Ya I have Car Quest Brake Part Cleaner. I just don't know the best way to go about it.

Spray it at the carburetor.



Make sure to use it to clean out all of the little passageways; look to make sure that you're gettin equal spray through the same tubes on each carb.

Pick up a high E guitar string to clean all the jets out.

If the carbs are horrendously dirty you may find that spray cleaner is not enough. I put a pair in an ultrasonic cleaner this evening; some of the o-rings in the carbs had deteriorated and clogged up passageways, which were then full of jellied and varnished gas. Spraycan stuff wouldn't touch those.

If you put up a couple of pics of the insides of the carbs we can argue about how you should clean them.

 

[Cafebuilder]

Thanks for the tip ;D

 

[Rich Ard]

Those, I would probably turn into soda cans.

Look up instructions for cleaning carbs with Pine Sol or boiling in lemon water, or buy an ultrasonic cleaner at Harbor Freight, or drop them off at a shop that does such cleaning. My local shop does it for something like $35 a carb, and you can mail them in.

Hang on to that carb cleaner spray for the lawnmower.

 

[Cafebuilder]

How does an ultrasonic work/what does it do? Would this work? http://www.harborfreight.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-3305.html

 

[Rich Ard]

Read up young padawan. And that cleaner will fit your carbs, but not all at once. That particular model has gotten mixed reviews - once everybody else is back at work being productive you'll probably get some more answers.

 

[Cafebuilder]

Alright thanks for the help. Also although these carbs are dirty they can be saved right (please).

 

[Rich Ard]

More than likely. They're just gross.

 

[Cafebuilder]

Thank god and ya I'm definitely considering the Ultrasonic Cleaner sounds like it can be pretty useful in the work enviroment especially for bikes. ;D

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Those are so corroded that I would throw them away.

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

I am with Alpha Dog on this...that isn't varnish, which is quite cleanable, that is corrosion.

The internal passages are as corroded. You will fight those carbs forever trying to get the bike to run right.

Things like throttle shaft seals will be leaking...The needle valve seat for idle mixture is corroded....

In the long run, you are going to need replacement carbs, don;t waste your time on those....

 

[Cafebuilder]

I'm gonna have to try there the only pair I have and can't afford another pair right now.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

I just love it when a nube comes on the list asking for advice from more experienced mechanics, and then argues with us when he doesn't like the answer. :-\

Dude! Throw those fucking carburetors away. They are junk, fer fuck sake!

 

[Cafebuilder]

Not arguing with you just saying I don't have money to buy new carbs not disagreeing with you. Also don't call people nube if you don't know the person. It's kind of a dick move. I was asking for opinions on the best way to clean varnish not dick head opinions from "experienced" mechanics!

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

You are fairly new to the site....

But the pics show corrosion, not varnish....

Whether you follow our advice or not, you will spend a LOT of time trying to get those right, and the chances of that are really small. If you were very experienced in carburetor repair, and knew how to open and close passages, you may be able to get them right. I am talking about those plugs you see on the passages. If this was some "3 of kind, in the world" carburetor, make a stab at it. But you are talking some really common carbs. You should be able to pick up some bodies that are actually just varnished, cheap, and have a real chance of success.

Either that, or we will see a post by you in the near future about how to jet Mikuni VM32's properly....which are way too large for the bike too...

 

[Rich Ard]

Re: Cleaning carbs with Brake Cleaner

Those cars are from the most popular bike in US history. If you are patient you can probably pick up a set for what you would put into rehabbing yours.

 

[Rich Ard]

Re: Re: Cleaning carbs with Brake Cleaner

Not arguing with you just saying I don't have money to buy new carbs not disagreeing with you. Also don't call people nube if you don't know the person. It's kind of a dick move. I was asking for opinions on the best way to clean varnish not dick head opinions from "experienced" mechanics!

oh boy

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

It's kind of a dick move

HAHAHAHAHA!

You should move out of your mother's basement now while you still know everything, Mr. Builder.