Posted by Johnd [173.245.54.94] on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 09:47:49 :
In Reply to: A Bit OT: Cleaning a Carb posted by Greg Coffin [172.69.69.175] on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 12:09:53 :
Greg,
Ive cleaned a lot of carbs in my time. I try not to need any parts, just try to clean them and put them back together using the same gaskets, seals, etc.
I have an old dishwasher that I use as a parts washer. Run the entire carb thru a cycle before taking it apart. The combination of hot water and the hot air dry cycle at the end causes expansion of the metals, and softens the gaskets. Blowing gunk out of blind passageways is much easier when the gunk is softened up from heat. Adding a shot glass of phosphate to the dishwasher before running it helps to clean steel, aluminum and brass as well.
The dishwasher is great for cleaning bolts, washers, and even oil soaked brake shoes and such.
Another trick I've learned is to use a heat gun to soften up debris in really stubborn passageways that you cant poke a wire thru, but can only blow compressed air thru. Use a blow gun with a rubber tip so you can get full pressure going thru ports.
The heat gun in the right place will slowly expand metals to help get say - a brass jet to unscrew from an aluminum carb housing that otherwise wont budge.
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