Cleaning Carbs

One thing I have always insisted on having and that's in line fuel filters.
They are very cheap and can often save a lot of guesswork and heartbreak.
Besides keeping the carbs clean one can see if fuel is actually flowing.:thumbsup:
 
I just fired up my $59 ultrasonic from harbor freight and you can see for yourself what has taken place in 25 minutes with a cup of Simple Green and tap water and no elbow grease.I Tested it out on a spare set of carbs for my TX650 .I can do this in my basement without becoming sTuperman. I"m Lovin this Machine!!!
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IMO there is no good way to clean carbs than to take them off the bike. It can be a real PITA, but the results are worth it. I took mine off and soda blasted them, put in a set of xsjohn's needles, and it has never run better, even with a worn cam chain, and a shot adjustment. I used an air compressor, and some tubing to suck baking soda straight from the box and really cleaned the gunk out of the carbs without affecting anything other than the built up organic garbage that accumulates on carbs over the years. I had never touched a carb prior to this so if I can do it, anyone can. Take the time to tear them out and clean them thoroughly. It's worth the effort. Really. I even buggered one of the main jets and still managed to get them back to working order without too much trouble. The trick is to make sure the diaphragms are still in good shape and operate as designed before getting to far into it. And to make sure you put them back together as designed. Ask me how I know that one. :doh:
 
I recall a product Cold Decarbonizer - Carb Cleaner. It had a peutred odor with an oil layer on top to seal out fumes, but it worked amazingly well. Wish I knew where to get some. I believe it was composed of cryslici acid. Anybody familiar with it?
 
- dont know it, but do know that cryslic acid is a wetting agent used to promote penetration
 
I have a 1980 XS650 II with two CV Mikunis. Pulled the bike out of the shed where I parked it in 1990. Pulled the carbs and did a "quick clean" Re adjusted the floats and replaced the float neadles. Cheacked the diaphrams up against the light and it looked good. Floats floated in gas but seemed to pick up fluid internally.

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I've just recently removed my carbs from the bike, cleaned them, and reassembled. The bike seems to be depending on the choke to stay running even after operating temp has been acheived. Im not entirely sure its the carbs that are the problem but the bike wont run without the choke. Please help!
 
Did you use compressed air to clean them? Soaking alone usually isn't enough. You need to blow through all the passageways to get the crap out. Soaking just softens it up but doesn't move it out.
 
Yes, it could be that. I don't care about the complete disassembly and reassembly - did you use compressed air to blow out the passageways? That's the important thing. You can't properly clean carbs unless you blow the passageways clear with compressed air.
 
You do this while they're apart and you're cleaning them. You spray or dribble carb cleaner in all the orifices and blow it through using compressed air. You watch to make sure it comes out the other end of whatever passageway you're cleaning. Then, if possible, you do it from the opposite direction. Then you blow a mild cleaner like WD40 or kerosene through to flush the remnants of the carb cleaner out. Some carb cleaners are very aggressive and can actually eat the aluminum away in the carb body if left in contact for too long. That will ruin your carbs.
 
To ad to 5twins. The carb cleaner will eat thru rubber parts as well. So soaking the body without taking everything, and I mean the throttle shaft seal as well, will damage the rubber components.
I had carb cleaner melt the plastic choke pull.
 
Ok guys..... I'm at a lose. I took the carbs off again, broke them down, cleaned them with carb/choke cleaner, then ran wd40 thru them, blew them DRY with compressed air, put them back together, reinstalled them on the bike and im still having the same problem. Whats next?
 
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