Gt550 carb rebuild

[Cragdog]

I have been trying to clean out my carbs and rebuild them. I used berrymans carb cleaner dip container basket thing and let them soak for 2 30min intervals and I'm pretty disappointed. I even cleaned off all the surface crud I could before dipping them. They are dry now and somewhat clean but there is a strange white residue all over, I rinsed them like a hundred times and still there's residue. Anyone have any suggestions to get rid of this stuff? Thanks for the help!

[Alan H]

That looks like a chemical reaction or oxidisation of the aluminium alloy.
Looks like toothbrush time!
Also use an ultrasonic cleaner and a less aggressive fluid cleaner, that should clean up the carbs OK.
I had similar problems with Yamaha outboard carbs, which turned out that someone (not me!) used a kitchen washing up detergent on the gaskets. This mixed with the next fill of petrol and formed white crud. A double bitch to clean too, but if everything in the world was easy it wouldn't be any fun would it?

[Coyote]

Due to RPA regulations, Berryman's Chem Dip ain't what it used to be. Not even close. I have had luck with Lime=Away, available at any grocery store. Get a spray bottle and wet the carbs down till they are drippy wet. Check them every 15 min, to make sure they are not drying out. In an hour, thoroughly rinse them out. Air dry and repeat as needed. CAUTION. Do not leave the carbs in the Lime-Away for no more than an hour at any one time as it will eventually attack the zink alloy (they are not aluminum).

[Cragdog]

Ok, great suggestions thank you! I'm not very familiar with ultrasonic cleaning, I'm going to try the lime away first and see if I can't get that white crud outta there today. Thanks again!