T500 Carb Cleaning with Ultrasonic Cleaner

[Syd]

I cleaned my carbs with simple green which says it is suitable for alum (300 mls) to 3 litres of water at 50 degrees C in my cleaner. One carb came up really good after a couple of cleans at 30 min per time, however the second carb has white lime type powder marks and stains on it. Any ideas on how to clean the powder marks?

[Alan H]

I had something similar on the outboard engine carbs when the guy that cleaned them rubbed washing up liquid on the base gaskets 'as I had told him' when he put them back together. I actually told him to lightly oil the gasket faces, but he didn't have any oil and he knew 'washing up liquid was slippy' (the pillock!).

Anyway, the carbs went all manky and I had to manually clean them with carb cleaner, WD40 and cotton buds. All OK after.

[oldjapanesebikes]

Any ideas on how to clean the powder marks?

Soda blasting works - you can make your own small rig suitable for doing a couple of carburettors for a couple of $$ if you already have an air compressor. Instructions can be downloaded from this page.

I have used a variation of this (I had a cheap Princess Auto hand-held blaster with an attached reservoir that I just filled with baking soda) and it does work well BUT it also does make one hell of a mess so if doing this in your back yard, pick a calm day just before rain is expected, or at least be prepared to hose things down well when done. The soda will damage your grass if not washed in the same day (don't ask me how I know ). And wear eye protection and a dust mask.

[ConnerVT]

So do it in your neighbor's yard, while they are at work. Also makes your yard seem nicer.

[Syd]

I have a soda blaster, however I seem to spend more time trying to get it work correctly with clogging of the nozzle etc. Moisture problems..

In reading about alternatives, soaking carbs in Pine Sol seems to do a good job and a lot of bike forums recommend it. Has anyone tried this - see the link below.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560117" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Sandman]

I also use Simple Green in my ultrasonic cleaner, with varying results. I believe your results are because of Simple Green not being ideal for this use. For carbs, rebuilders/specialists do not use Simple Green. Here's an interesting quote from BMW Motorcycle Magazine winter 2012 page 86, from Bing expert Uwe Tischer:

"...to be subsequently cleaned properly in an ultrasonic bath 15 minutes at 167 degree F (75 degree C) in a solution that has been specially adapted to the materials of the carburetor parts. Only by this proper treatment can all residues be dissolved from the delicate fine threads and in then tiny holes. After the bath, all parts are washed in distilled water, blown dry and finally dipped in Ballistol lubricant. 'Ballistol is a real miracle cure, Tischer raves. It was developed as gun oil and has then huge advantage that it's not gummy.'"

That's great advice, but unfortunately none of these specialists are willing to share exactly what the solution is that they use in their ultrasonics! I keep looking for an answer- please let us all know if you find it.

[Pete O'Dell]

fairy liquid and vinegar in the ultra sonic works a treat or a glass bead at 40 psi

[pearljam724]

I recently bought one bowl off Ebay that had " concrete like " residue from gasoline sitting it for so long. I tried everything but a sonic cleaner to get those extremely hard pieces to break free. The particles wouldn't even break free by scraping at first. The jet inserted inside the rim of the 750 bowl was severely clogged. I soaked it in Berryman's for 3 weeks which hardly made an impact. I started to chisel with a very small flat blade. That too, barely started to break piece free. I then took my best friend the rubber rotary bullet tip on a drill and started to break more free that way. I then boiled it in scolding hot water. Sprayed the rim jet and other orifices with carb cleaner and I started to notice the jet partially being opened up. Soaked it in Berryman's for another couple of weeks and used the tip of a hooked spring puller to get up through the bottom of the jet inserted in the wall of the bowl. Finally, it all cleared. I have never seen a substance so hard in a carb bowl in my life. I credit the boiling water to finally make any progress.

[oldjapanesebikes]

So do it in your neighbor's yard, while they are at work. Also makes your yard seem nicer.

Dang - wish I'd thought of that !

fairy liquid and vinegar in the ultra sonic works a treat or a glass bead at 40 psi

And 'fairy liquid' is dish washing detergent ? Just want to be sure....

[tz375]

"now hands that do dishes
are as soft as your face
with mild green fairy liquid"

Lyrics my be incorrect but I do remember the jingle from about the time these bikes were designed I suspect.

So that would be YES.

[Coyote]

Available at the grocery store -- Lime-Away. Totally submerge the problem piece for NO LONGER THAN 2 HOURS. Rinse with really hot water. The bottle says not for polished aluminum, but it will dissolve that white crap off and actually make the cast aluminum brighter. I have used it about a dozen times already. Even if there are no deposits, I use it to brighten the metal