Carburettor cleaning

[pfenlon]

Am to fit a pair of HS6 carbs from  a 2500 car to my TR250, they haven't been used for many years, I have had them soaking in petrol for about a week and are now reasonably clean. but in the float chambers there is the hardened remains of old fuel deposits which will scrape off, but is there a fluid that will properly dissolve this stuff.

I don't have an electronic shaker machine sadly, was thinking of caustic soda, but it will dissolve aluminium!  Hoping to get a rebuild kit of sorts from Burlin, but haven't had a reply to my mail to them as yet.

[stillp]

TRy acetone, or cellulose thinners.

Pete

[rcreweread]

+1 for cellulose thinners - I always clean old fuel pump glass bowls with cellulose thinners and also stubborn dark stains on the carbs - works really well but don’t get too high on the fumes- do it outside!

cheers Rich 

[Z320]

Hi,

I recommend you to buy one of this small 20 - 30 Euro ultrasonic cleaners for jewellery from any DIY market.

My rule: if I see the need and can afford the money, I buy it better sooner than later.

That worked at least 15 years for me and is still in use if I don’t want to use my new big cleaner.

Of cause, a hole SU carb does not fit in, but in pieces and the body you have to turn.

edit:

a 2 liter cleaner costs not so much more,

wishing you much success,

Ciao, Marco 

Edited August 13, 2023 by Z320

[RogerH]

Aerosol Carb cleaner and a toothbrush

 

Roger

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

Do not use caustic soda.  It will eat away the surface of the aluminium 

 

[ed_h]

Yes, why wouldn't you try, you know, Carb Cleaner?   It's a mix of solvents designed for just that job.

Ed

[Lebro]

I have found petrol in an ultrasonic tank works well with Austin 12 carbs.  (no smoking though)

Bob

[stillp]

10 hours ago, ed_h said:

Yes, why wouldn't you try, you know, Carb Cleaner?   It's a mix of solvents designed for just that job.

Ed

I didn't find it to work very well. Cellulose thinners did.

Pete

[pfenlon]

Thanks lads, now soaking in Still P's Cellulose thinners.......

Did look for Aerosol carb cleaner, but couldn't trace that particular brand.

[ed_h]

On 8/14/2023 at 4:32 AM, stillp said:

I didn't find it to work very well. Cellulose thinners did.

Pete

Hi, Pete--

The problem with commercial niche products like Carb Cleaner and Cellulose Thinner is that they are mixtures of various ingredients, with no specific recipe, so formulas vary from brand to brand (and over time too, I've found).  They both typically contain common solvents like acetone, toluene, and xylene, but minor ingredients can vary widely.  Some minor components are likely just impurities, and not really intentional active ingredients.

So if someone has found a specific brand of either description that works well for a specific task, they should stick with it.  

Ed

Edited August 15, 2023 by ed_h