ultrasonic cleaning solution

[bladeblaster]

What are people using in the ultrasonic baths for cleaning carbs? Is there something which is specifically good, or anythings that should be specifically avoided.

We have some generic cleaning solution at work that I can use, its probably essentially washing up liquid.

Cheers.

[uberkron]

I use white gas/coleman fuel. I also put the lid on. And do this outside just in case.
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i ride a zip 50 2smoke. It overtakes a hundred times a day.

[uberkron]

I use white gas/coleman fuel. I also put the lid on. And do this outside just in case.
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i ride a zip 50 2smoke. It overtakes a hundred times a day.

[stinkwheel]

I use hot, soapy water.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[chris-red]

Soapy water with some vinegar normally.
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[Baffler186]

Might be dumb question - has anyone tried bicarbonate of soda? It works wonders in my dishwasher and in the drains.
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[Ariel Badger]

I do not think Bicarb is good to aluminium.
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[bladeblaster]

cheers guys, I will use the stuff we have at work then I guess. Just make sure I give it a damn good rinse through after and a few good squirts of carb cleaner

[Nexus Icon]

A 50/50 blend of soapy water and isopropyl/isopropanol works well.

You should be able to buy isopropyl as rubbing alcohol somewhere like Boots.
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[Major Doss]

Be careful of soaps/washing up liquids as these can contain salt. Short cycles and rinse, then another cycle with warm (not hot) water, rinse again. Oh, and another rinse. Dry. Blow with airline/brake cleaner.

[sickpup]

Generally considered best to avoid things like washing up liquid as they contain salt.

[bladeblaster]

I will check the ingredients on the one we have at work.

[ZRX61]

laundry detergent.
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[Vincent]

You can get cleaner specifically for ally...it's not hard to find, should be some on eBay, (see below).
What size is your tank? Don't expect great results with the smaller types. I've just inherited a medium sized domestic one that I'm going to have a go with but I bought a small "jewelery" type cleaner a while back to try and found that it loosened the grime but didn't remove it.......I had to brush it over afterwards. I was a bit concerned about what it had done to the insides of the small galleries, air holes etc inside the carb where I couldn't get in......I suspect the companies that provide this service use something on top of the ultrasound....maybe vibration....to do a better job, 'never looked into it any further tho.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARBURETTOR-MACHINE-PARTS-ULTRASONIC-CLEANING-FLUID-ENGINE-PARTS-FORMULA-1-LT-/160927464259?hash=item2578063b43

"You have to match the chemistry of the cleaning solution to the application. Some companies, such as Omegasonics, stock 40 chemistry-specific cleaning solutions because parts cleaning applications can be chemistry specific.

For example, when removing contaminants such as dirt, soil, oil, light grease, or carbon, a high pH, alkaline soap typically is required. Acids have a low pH value.

High pH, alkaline solutions can clean almost anything, but if pH goes too high, especially with softer metals such as aluminum, parts can be damaged.

Hard metals such as steel, stainless steel and titanium can handle high pH values, but steel is more prone to rusting with water-based chemistries, so steel or other ferrous metals require either a built-in rust inhibitor in the cleaning soap or a secondary rinse in a rust inhibitor.

For water damaged metals that are contaminated with rust or calcium deposits, a low pH, acidic cleaning soap may be required. Acid removes the top layer of metal surfaces and actually can shine metal surfaces.

Some applications, such as electronics parts, require neutral pH soap. Neutral pH cleaning solutions are called for when there is concern about damaging copper filaments or removing thin layers of metal.

Neutral pH cleaning solutions are fine for parts with light surface contamination such as dust or light dirt particles".

https://americanmachinist.com/shop-operations/tips-ultrasonic-cleaning
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[bladeblaster]

I looked at the cleaner we have at work and its a high alkaline cleaner so no good for Aluminium.

I figured a drop of Muck-Off should be ok, that's specifically for bikes, and bikes are primarily aluminium these days, so should be ok?

[bladeblaster]

[Robby]

You only need a small amount of detergent. You're using detergent to break the surface tension of the water so that it will get into small spaces, not for its cleaning power. I presume this is why some people use vinegar - low surface tension, so it penetrates well.

Remember the ultrasonic cleaner is just removing grime from metal, not flushing it out. You will need to blow it all through with compressed air to get the crap out, then probably put it back in the bath. Repeat this process several times.

I don't like ultrasonic cleaning. I've only ever had bad results from it, starting with a carb that was "a bit off" and making it "totally shit". An aerosol can of carb cleaner does a far better job at cleaning up small holes and flushing out the crap. It's also the one job where I wear safety glasses, because aerosol carb cleaner seems magnetically attracted to my eyes.

[BTTD]

As per Robby, although ultrasonic cleaners have worked well for me in the past on BMW carbs, a generator carb, an SU, and a lawnmower!

[bladeblaster]

I put them through the ultrasonic cleaner with a small dash of muck-off. Then again with just hot water.

They are now sitting in a bowl of hot water just to thoroughly rinse.

Tomorrow once drained will get a good going through with carb cleaner, then compressed air

[stinkwheel]

Putting carb bodies, engine casings and crankcases through the dishwasher brings them up lovely. Like new.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Vincent]

[Vincent]

....................I notice a lot of sites etc say not to use compressed air inside carbs..............is this just with more modern carbs that may have some non-metalic parts inside I like to blow jets through after cleaning them but most petrol station pumps won't do it now and I'm compressor-less. It'd be handy to have some pipe that you could stick onto a car tyre and use........
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[BTTD]

[BTTD]

[Vincent]