John McCormack Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 I have a pair of 1 1/2" SUs which I am dismantling to rebuild as spares. The shafts have almost no play so it is a matter of cleaning and putting a new kit in them. What is best to clean them? Something I can leave them in overnight or for a few days would be preferable if available. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 (edited) Hello John, I once used the dishwasher to clean a pair SU’s. I did it while my wife was out at the hairdressers. (I knew I had several hours to myself.) When she came back she was none the wiser. She did, however, notice the cleaned up carbs in the garage. “They look nice and clean” she said. “Errr… Yes, “ I replied, “I cleaned them with Gunk and a toothbrush.” She then said “You should have put them in the dishwasher. It would have been a lot quicker.” It does work well, especially if you have them all in pieces. (Put the smaller pieces in a wire basket.) And DON’T use a dishwasher tablet. I believe that they can attack the aluminium. Saying that I must have used some sort of detergent, but not sure what. I would not recommend using Gunk though. You might have Gunk smelling plates for weeks to come. Charlie. Edited May 30, 2022 by Charlie D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 If you know anyone with an ultrasonic bath that works a treat, paraffin and a stiff toothbrush is the poor mans way of cleaning up. Stuart.them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 (edited) 4 hours ago, stuart said: If you know anyone with an ultrasonic bath that works a treat, paraffin and a stiff toothbrush is the poor mans way of cleaning up. Stuart.them. I'm with Stuart on the use of ultrasonic cleaner baths here are some additives:- https://www.dkultrasonic.co.uk/carburettor--engine-cleaner-ultrasonic-fluid-1-litre-104-p.asp https://www.bestultrasonic.co.uk/carburettor-cleaner-39-c.asp Moss USA used to rave about Berryman product:- https://www.berrymanproducts.com/products/eco-friendly-products/berryman-chem-dip-carburetor-and-parts-cleaner/ These people do to https://www.carbibles.com/carburetor-cleaner/ Failing that I have great results with the aerosol stuff https://yourcar.co.uk/best-carburettor-cleaner/ PS Wear safety goggles when using. I ended up in hospital after splashing the stuff in my eyes. An hour of having my eyes washed out with some neutralising solution. Edited May 30, 2022 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 Great tip Peter, just ordered some for my Lidl ultrasonic cleaner Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 Dose the STP aerosol spray clean up all ali parts Pete ??? Roy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 1 hour ago, roy53 said: Dose the STP aerosol spray clean up all ali parts Pete ??? Roy In my experience, It certainly does a good cleaning job of fuel and oil staining. Be careful not to spray it on paintwork as I suspect there could be tears Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Salisbury Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 Dishwasher plus Oxalic acid as the detergent works a treat for aluminum and ali alloys ...... (or boil up in a large saucepan with a bunch of Rhubarb Leaves). Cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 18 hours ago, Lebro said: Great tip Peter, just ordered some for my Lidl ultrasonic cleaner Bob Me too! only at the weekend i cleaned out my 20l ultrasonic cleaner, and after four or maybe five sets of motorcycle carbs it was filthy ! steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 Cellulose thinners works really well and gets rid of the brown staining from the petrol residues - if you use gunwash thinners, its not expensive Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John McCormack Posted June 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2022 Thank you all. I'm going to buy an ultrasonic cleaner, I expect with two TR2s and a TR6 (plus another car if I can find the right Mk1Sprite) there will be more of this type of cleaning in the future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted June 1, 2022 Report Share Posted June 1, 2022 Its quite surprising just how much dirt comes off of carbs, here’s my 20l after four or five sets of ( very dirty) old motorcycle carbs ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted June 7, 2022 Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 Dishwashers are fine. Thinners is good too. Did a sump in the disshwasher prior to painting it but not sure I got away with it. Did a Boris & bluffed it out! Should have done a second cycle with it empty afterwards! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John McCormack Posted June 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 I used detergent concentrate in warm water. The cleaner had an 8 minute timer limit but after five or so cycles the carbies were clean, not shiny. As they had been in a shed for over 50 years and covered in layers of grime I'm pretty happy with it. I'll buy one of the carbie concentrates and do them again. I now need new shafts and a carbie kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John McCormack Posted June 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 On 5/30/2022 at 10:54 PM, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: I'm with Stuart on the use of ultrasonic cleaner baths here are some additives:- https://www.dkultrasonic.co.uk/carburettor--engine-cleaner-ultrasonic-fluid-1-litre-104-p.asp https://www.bestultrasonic.co.uk/carburettor-cleaner-39-c.asp Moss USA used to rave about Berryman product:- https://www.berrymanproducts.com/products/eco-friendly-products/berryman-chem-dip-carburetor-and-parts-cleaner/ These people do to https://www.carbibles.com/carburetor-cleaner/ Failing that I have great results with the aerosol stuff https://yourcar.co.uk/best-carburettor-cleaner/ PS Wear safety goggles when using. I ended up in hospital after splashing the stuff in my eyes. An hour of having my eyes washed out with some neutralising solution. Unfortunately, these businesses don't deliver to Australia, and I can't find a distributor down here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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