Agree an Ultrasonic cleaner is a must have for mess'in about old bikes. My preferred brew is Deionized water - 3 parts, Simple Green Aircraft Cleaner 1 part, Master Stages 2030 10% Cook @ 40*C for 30 min of Full-Wave & 10 min on De-Gas.
I don’t know what products are available in Scotland, here I use a 50-50 mix of water and simple green. It’s a non caustic cleaner. And I save the solution and reuse it , I just pour it back in a gallon jug and the sediment settles to the bottom. Note: this does not clean internal passageways, I still use carburetor spray cleaner and shoot that through all the tiny openings , followed by a blast of compressed air.
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They don’t shine like this , straight out of the cleaner. They have a more flat looking appearance, these have been buffed up with a Dremel and assorted brass wire brushes.
Nice one Raymond. I'm about to order the same unit.Resurrecting an old thread. Well, it would seem that the general consensus these days is the best way to clean, for instance, carburetors is an ultrasonic bath. So I have splashed out, so to speak.
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Six litre bath - about 12 x 6 x 6", the basket is slightly smaller than that, but should be plenty of room for a carb, or pistons, or sundry other engine parts.
Been reading up on solution to use. People like coin collectors seem to go for 50:50 white vinegar and a few drops of wash-up liquid. Some people use water and a spoonful of baking soda. But I've erred on the side of prudence and ordered some carb and machine parts cleaning solution:
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Stated to be safe on brass, aluminium and other reactive metals. 5 litres, dilute 10:1, should last for ages. Unless I keep thinking of things that need ultrasonic cleaning. Or Mrs does . . .
Interesting that the ultrasonic cleaner doesn't clean internal passageways - I had thought that was one of the benefits
I’d imagine even with carb cleaner it would be beneficial for the cleaner to have some “residence” time in the passage ways to give it a chance to dissolve the deposits. I guess the ultrasonic treatment + carb cleaner + compressed air should get most of the gunk out.You know I said that without any real proof, I’ve just never trusted a sonic cleaner to break through and remove a hard deposit from inside a tiny passageway. I always believed that they needed to be cleared with a strong carb cleaner spray shooting through a spray straw.
Let me first start by saying that I despise impact wrenches, pneumatic engines of thread destruction. Having said that, if your going to wrench on old stuff they are a necessary evil. I have a quite large (80galon) V-twin compressor and 2 pneumatic rattle guns that will shake the house off it's foundation given enough time. But they have been relegated to little more that tire rotating tools and nothing more. My cordless .5" drive DeWalt impact will accomplish 99.9999% of my impact needs with far more precision and delicacy. But a good Proto hand impact is a far better option, much less destructive, and far more effective than any powered impact electric or pneumatic. An air impact is really only good for spinning nuts bolts at a vey high rate of speed and galling threads.Battery powered impact wrenches have largely supplanted their air powered counterparts.
While I don't trust my ultrasonic 100% to clean internal passage in carbs, verification is always necessary. I have had good luck with it doing just that. So far my ultrasonic has done a bang up job getting stubborn crud loose and out most all small internal carburetor passages that I have used it for. But I agree you should always chase em with piano wire (i use old guitar strings) and compressed air or canned air.You know I said that without any real proof, I’ve just never trusted a sonic cleaner to break through and remove a hard deposit from inside a tiny passageway. I always believed that they needed to be cleared with a strong carb cleaner spray shooting through a spray straw.
Don't have a source of compressed air but your answers have got me musing. Now, should I think about a compressor? What size? Second hand might be an idea? Write a letter to Father Christmas c/o N Pole? Probably not sommat I need or justify.
were the jets clogged from old fuel , if so the build up maybe to much for it to handle ,iv used tap water and washing detergent and its worked well but jets werent badly clogged , my machine goes up to 60 degs c which is why i operate it from once the water is heated .. also u have to use the wire basket that should have come with it ... have u tried soaking the jets for a week or to first in any form of cleaning solution ... sonic cleaners are good but not merical workersNot sure if anyone is still looking at this old thread but I have some questions about ultrasonic cleaners & using them to clean carburetors and jets. I purchased one of these machines from Harbor Freight. Not expensive but not super cheap either. About $90. Thought I'd start with some old corroded jets. So far I've tried plain water; water & ammonia; water, ammonia & white vinegar; water, white vinegar & Dawn dish soap. I also tried putting the jets into a small container filled with gasoline & putting that container in the machine.
Results so far: Zip, Nada, Nothing. So my question is this: have I wasted my $90 on a worthless machine or am I just using the wrong solution?
Oh, the heater works but doesnt get all that hot. I also tried heating water on the stove & putting that into the machine.
Thoughts Anyone?
I have a gallon of this I've used for cleaning small carb brass for years
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It's powerful stuff don't leave jets in it for days...
It may not be available these days.
My small harbor freight sonic cleaner has been used and abused for years, like an energizer bunny it just won't die. Mine has been superceded by a larger 4 tank ultrasonic.