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New carburetor time?
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:06 am
by MazerRackham
When I disassembling to clean them I didn't take any pictures but MAN WAS IT BAD. There was enough white buildup to make Tony Montana happy. So after lots of scrubbing with steel wool I decided to take out the big guns. I soaked the carburetors in a 1/2 CLR to 1/2 water mixture over a period of two days. That got 99% of the build up off, of which I am very happy but something else happened. I think it ate off the anodized coating on the carbs. When I took them out of the soak it looked like the metal was literally melting. There were places in the float bowl in which the inner lining was literally flaking off. Should I toss the carbs? Or get a dremel tool with a fine grit tip and smooth those places out? Anybody experience something similar?
If this is the case are the 32mm Mikuni carbs here the same as the ones in the T500J?
http://www.procycle.us/carb/mikuni.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Safe replacement?
Re: New carburetor time?
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 6:57 am
by Coyote
Go back and LOOK at the label on the CLR. It clearly states 'Not for use on aluminum'. I made a similar mistake with a petcock. Those bowls are toast and no amount of rubbing or polishing will help. They will always be that dark grey color and you fingers will turn black when you handle them. I hope you didn't soak the bodies as well. As far as I can remember, there was no anodize coating on any old Mikuni carbs.
If just the bowls are shot, maybe someone on here has a couple they are willing to part with. Also keep you eyes peeled on eBay for another set. Sorry to say, but your 'big guns' shot yourself in the foot.
Re: New carburetor time?
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 9:29 am
by diamondj
Sounds like your float bowls are toast. You could buy replacement float bowls:
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/websc ... c92c4fedc4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or check with Pat's small engine parts:
http://www.psep.biz/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Although I suspect the float bowls/chambers will run you $40 each so the new carbs you posted might be the better way to go.
Here's a set on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-T ... ccessories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The carbs in the link you posted look like they will work although you may need to transfer needles, jets, etc. as well as the choke mechanisms. Looks like for $3 you could step up to 34MM carbs which would be useful if you plan on getting the engine ported. The first year T500's came with 34's and made a couple extra horsepower but were a lot thirstier!
Good luck!
Jim
Re: New carburetor time?
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:09 pm
by MazerRackham
diamondj wrote:Sounds like your float bowls are toast. You could buy replacement float bowls:
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/websc ... c92c4fedc4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or check with Pat's small engine parts:
http://www.psep.biz/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Although I suspect the float bowls/chambers will run you $40 each so the new carbs you posted might be the better way to go.
Here's a set on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-T ... ccessories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The carbs in the link you posted look like they will work although you may need to transfer needles, jets, etc. as well as the choke mechanisms. Looks like for $3 you could step up to 34MM carbs which would be useful if you plan on getting the engine ported. The first year T500's came with 34's and made a couple extra horsepower but were a lot thirstier!
Good luck!
Jim
I don't plan on porting anytime soon, but thanks for the heads up! I really appreciate you guys helping me =]
Re: New carburetor time?
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:45 pm
by tz375
OEM carbs are made from a cheap zinc based metal Zamac/Mazac and it doesn't do well with a 2 day dip.
Those carbs are different to aftermarket carbs in a couple of ways and just swapping jets over won't give the same results. Aftermarket carbs are lighter and all together better carbs, but different.
For a straight replacement, try to get an OEM set.
Re: New carburetor time?
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 3:28 pm
by Suzsmokeyallan
A bit late to this post but for cleaning all sorts of carb crud you should use an ultrasonic cleaner. Harbour Freight have them for around $60.00.
Re: New carburetor time?
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 3:18 pm
by MazerRackham
Do you think this
http://www.harborfreight.com/ultrasonic ... -3305.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ultrasonic cleaner will fit the carbs inside?
Re: New carburetor time?
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:01 am
by Suzsmokeyallan
Nope but this is the one that will fit carbs into it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-u ... 95563.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I've got one of these and its the best money I ever spent. Ian (oldjapanesebikes) got one and after seeing it work last summer in his shop I had to have one for my carbs and petcocks etc.
Its worth every penny, even if you only clean some dirty carbs once in it.
Here's some examples of what it can do with no more than water and simple green with a touch of vinegar added to the solution.
Before cleaning, this is not your average dirt that will move simply by some soaking in gasoline and a brush.
A few passes through the machine and its looking better already, some more passes needed to get rid of some whitish corrosion spots
The set and related small parts cleaned up.
Re: New carburetor time?
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:57 pm
by ConnerVT
Picked up one of these from Harbor Freight this weekend. Love the place, it's like a toy store for grown men.
I'm sure it will come more than handy getting my bike back on the road
Here's some examples of what it can do with no more than water and simple green with a touch of vinegar added to the solution.
Cleaning up those carb bodies, 2 questions:
How much each of water/Simple Green/vinegar do you use?
How long did you need to run the cleaner to get the final results?