Carb cleaning product

[groff22]

Hi Guys and gals

Ok, so the time has come to do some maintenance... First up: Carbs. I took the carbs out tonight and plan to clean them tomorrow. I'm wondering what is the best cleaner that won't ruin the rubber parts, like rings etc? Any suggestions? I don't really want to take them all out/apart.

I've  searched for this topic already, but results say not to use on plastic parts.

Jeff

[My Name Is Dave]

I would just get some Chem-Dip. Sure, you need to remove all the plastic and rubber parts, but it gets the parts to the bare metal. And all you have to do is disassemble, dunk, scrub, and reassemble.

Dave 

[dggraphics]

I think any carb cleaner is bad for the rubber/plastic parts.. you may have to take apart or just kamakazi it and deal with it. I've always just used cheap ass carb cleaner.

Anyone else?? good question..

[ducati_nolan]

I've never had a problem with carb cleaner (spray type) destroying rubber. Most carbs do have rubber peices so the stuff shouldn't hurt them. To get the carbs clean though you'll have to take them apart, you've gone this far so you may as well do it right. Spray everything down and blow out all the passages with compressed air. Be carefull not to scratch jets and passages if you use a piece of wire, it can effect the performance.

The chem dip type carb cleaner will destroy just about everything except for metal. Works great but you need to take everthing apart and it's pretty expensive.

[dggraphics]

He's probably right, I'd just kamakazi it and not worry about it. I've used it on mine before and didn't notice any problems, I'm sure if you let it sit on the rubber or use it repeadedly a number of time, it may dry it out or something, but I wouldn't worry about it. Take it apart, it'll be worth it to get it cleaned right the first time.

[The Buddha]

I use spray type cleaner (gumout types) and chase the holes with a set of jet cleaners. AKA welding nozzle cleaners available where ever fine welding products are sold.
For larger holes I use Q tips.
Trust me, they can handle a bit of carbon and crap .... they prefer it that way in fact.
Cool.
Srinath.

[groff22]

All, thanks a bunch for all the recommendations. I've found what I believe to be the answer and a good product that meets me in the middle (Safe on rubber)  I picked some of this up this morning and will run it through the carbs.

http://www.speedwerks.com/catalog/c16m70bm0b0s1pn0p2617np0

I used PJ1 productes to clean the air filter on my quad, and they work great... Can't wait to get off work now

Best,
JG

[Egaeus]

For future reference, Valvoline Synpower carb cleaner IS NOT SAFE FOR O-RINGS.  I lost the o-rings on the float valve guides and the float bowl gaskets to it.

[GSRider]

Pine Sol.

No kidding.

Strip the carbs down bare - no rubber or plastic on them - and soak them in Pine Sol over night. The next day, rinse with warm water and blow dry with compressed air.

Works like a charm 

[groff22]

I cleaned the carb with mild soap and water first, so all the "dirt" is out. So, about to spray it with the cleaner... do i rinse this anti-gum cleaning fluid off, after i let it sit... or leave it on?

[cgmoto]

I was going to spray some of the "cheap" carb cleaner into the carb intake while still in the motorcycle (only removing the air filter air box) like the can says to see if this would be enough to help my fluctuating idle problem.  I take it from previous comments that this is a bad idea?

Thanks all

[94suzuki500]

ya if you are gonna do that get something intended for that use.  Regular spray carb cleaner is not good.  Go and get some seafoam and put it in your tank.  Its 6 bucks at auto zone and works awesome.  And you might as well spray some in the intake and put some in your oil while your at it.  Read the instructions though so its done right.

[groff22]

ya sorry guys, that was a dumb question -- not supposed to clean it after you spray. i've looked for seafoam at a coupla places... no luck. not sure if it's sold in canada 

[Jughead]

Vinegar. Just strip them down Bare and it will Eat them Clean.If you have an old Crock pot to warm it in it will work faster.

[dggraphics]

Lookie, lookie, we got some fuckin MacGyver type tips in here! Nice pointers, thanks 

[Jughead]

No Problem.
You will want to Watch when Heating it because heat will Speed Up the Process and you  will Run the Risk of Possibly making them look like Swiss Cheese.I have only Heard of One Case of Eating up Aluminum Completely and it was a petcock off of a Bike.The Guy that Done it said that he Only left it in 12 hours But as far as we could tell is that it wasn't a Genuine Mikuni Petcock.I have left Carbs (When Cold Weather) in the vinegar for upwards of 5 Days and no Harm has been Done.Usually if it is the Right type of Zinc Alloy it will Leave a Dark Tarnish on the Carbs that will easily Rub,Polish or Come off with Spray Carb Cleaner.From What I have seen of the GS500 Carbs they look to be a More of an Aluminum Alloy so you May get Clear Crystaline Substance Growing on the Surface and the Vinegar may not React as Much with them like I had it do to a set of Kiehin Carbs on my CB750 F2.I then had to switch to Berrymans which really Cleaned them.

[dggraphics]

No Problem.
You will want to Watch when Heating it because heat will Speed Up the Process and you  will Run the Risk of Possibly making them look like Swiss Cheese.I have only Heard of One Case of Eating up Aluminum Completely and it was a petcock off of a Bike.The Guy that Done it said that he Only left it in 12 hours But as far as we could tell is that it wasn't a Genuine Mikuni Petcock.I have left Carbs (When Cold Weather) in the vinegar for upwards of 5 Days and no Harm has been Done.Usually if it is the Right type of Zinc Alloy it will Leave a Dark Tarnish on the Carbs that will easily Rub,Polish or Come off with Spray Carb Cleaner.From What I have seen of the GS500 Carbs they look to be a More of an Aluminum Alloy so you May get Clear Crystaline Substance Growing on the Surface and the Vinegar may not React as Much with them like I had it do to a set of Kiehin Carbs on my CB750 F2.I then had to switch to Berrymans which really Cleaned them.

Sweet, you know your shaZam!... 

[Jughead]

Try to. Can't bring back a rare Part if you screw up.Sometimes you have to Learn the Hard way.(Blowing out Dents from a 60's Triumph Thruxton Aluminum Tank  ) or Take it easy and make sure nothings Going Majorly Wrong.

[dggraphics]

Try to. Can't bring back a rare Part if you screw up.Sometimes you have to Learn the Hard way.(Blowing out Dents from a 60's Triumph Thruxton Aluminum Tank  ) or Take it easy and make sure nothings Going Majorly Wrong.

SWEET, Triumph Thruxtons kick ass. I love the newer ones with the checker flag stripe that heads over the tank and down the cowling. I've seen some awesome custom racers with some nice tuck-under the cowling lights. So retro and badass fast looking 

[groff22]

Lookie, lookie, we got some f%$kin MacGyver type tips in here! Nice pointers, thanks 

Ha, got that right. And vinegar costs what, a buck?