Question re: Using Ultrasonic machine for Carb Cleaning

YD3 · Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject:

OK, I would like to throw in my 2 cents on this one. I have had an ultrasonic cleaner for @ 5 years now and it works great. I have cleaned carbs for friends that they never thought would ever work again. I live near a large DOE facility which has auctions from time to time. I'm sure that this unit was used in a lab. It's just big enough to put like a 38mm Mikuni in it. I bought it used and paid $50.00 for it. I have found for the most effective cleaning, the item should be suspended in the cleaning fluid so the "waves" can do their thing.

My majical cleaning solution is 50% water with 50% Purple Power. I think most any bio-degradable cleaning solution would work though. If you can get one with heat, I think that would work better. On a really bad carb, i.e. one that has had gas in it since the 1970's, floats stuck, jets won't come out, pretty much varnish in the float bowl, etc.. 24 to 36 hours gets it to where you can remove the parts for a through cleaning. After that, another 8 hours with the disassembled parts should get you close.

All in all, its the best money I ever spent on a tool. I would guess that this is one of the more expensive models, but used it was affordable. If I could only get the gas tanks this clean....

KirkN · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:06 am Post subject:

Hey, YD, and all, thanks for the input. It's all interesting. It sounds like it'd be another tool in the toolbox for gettin' things done, but not one that is head & shoulders better than the old fashioned disassembly, dip, clean, reassembly. Except for maybe the idea of not having to deal with the smell of carb dip for days afterwards, and the overall less toxic nature of it, which to me, is reason enough right there! I'm going to keep my eyes open for a used one for a little while, and ultimately probably get one from Harbor Freight if I don't see a used one. Sooner or later, I'll post back... Smile

confish86 · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:10 pm Post subject:

I just bought this one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=774&pricetype in Lancaster PA & they took the internet price (they said the`ll match all net prices) I didn`t try it out just yet (as my weekend is over for work) but i did size it out & a GL1000 carb fits in it (completely apart though) I`m woundering if it matters how much liquid you put in it for best results ??? For the guy`s that have used this machine or the like , do you re-use the liquid you concockted (strain & save) so you can use water to clean it (would distilled water work better) or do you just clean what ever carbs your doing then throw it out. ??? I`t does have a timmer & will stay on for 480 seconds & does have a shut off if used for 45min continually (should let cool after that for 15min before use again) but i think its just for the heat not the waves itself.

bikeseamus

I have had wonderful luck soaking carbs in 50/50 solution of water and simple green, even with deeply caked carbs.
As for the neoprene diaphragms, soak them in brake fluid, totally immersed, for 24 hours or more and they come out soft as new and functioning perfectly.

Arizona junkyard trick, but it works beautifully. As for storing tires and rubber components, keep them away from electric motors, as the motors generate ozone, which will weather crack rubber before its time.
Electric motors from your compressor or refrigerator or about any other appliance with brushes will play hell with your rubber parts.

As for fuel filtering rust from a less than perfect tank, get some of those small rare earth magnets and put them into an inline fuel filter that can be unscrewed like a Russell or equivalent. Any conventional fuel filter will only stop particles larger then 8 to 12 microns, but a magnet will GRAB and HOLD a single iron molecule, so your carbs stay cleaner and your engine doesn't get the abrasive action of iron in its cylinders and oil.

Lessee...what else....

Get an "O" shaped magnet and stick it on the end of your oil filters to trap iron particles. Transfer it when you change filters, for better engine longevity. Drop a magnetic retrieving tool magnet into your oil tank, on a dipstick to stop iron particles from recirculating in your oil. Automatic transmissions often have "O" shaped magnets in their pans to help with this, so a transmission supply store should have them. If not, just epoxy some magnets onto the bottom of your oilpan, should you have one.

What else....

Oil up the inside of your airbox with grease or heavy oil to stop dust BEFORE it reaches and clogs your air filter.... old Alaskan Highway trick of mine.. Do your cars the same way... a cheap and effective way to keep your engine running stronger and longer.

I have also found iridium spark plugs to be the ONLY way to go, but have yet to hear raves from people who have switched to Nology wires and coils... but they sound like a wonderful idea. A better flame kernel is nothing but a GOOD thing, as the BANGS make it all run sweetly.

Maybe I'll come up with some more longevity tricks, but that's all I have time for now.

Happy motoring! Jimmy Connors

elmarko · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:27 pm Post subject: ultrasonic cleaner

just bought a ultrasonic cleaner from h/f on seel for $59.99 look for coupon discount in motorcycle mag and get 20% off i got it for $47.00 plus tax in Calif
mark g

dorT500 · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:59 pm Post subject:

Jeeezzz.......lot of 'good vibrations' going on in this thread. Guess I will forget about a passing thought about a tub sitting on top of an upside down palm sander mounted like a router. Embarassed

Quit laughing Crying or Very sad

....I said it just crossed my mind. Rolling Eyes

tcanough · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:08 pm Post subject: Hello KirkN ;

I just checked out Amazon for ultrasonic heated cleaners and they have quite a selection . This one is commercial grade [you will see the difference ] and they start at $185.00 .
SharperTek Digital 1/2 Gallon Ultrasonic Heated Cleaner . This is probably closer to what you are looking for . They price out to over $1000.00 for a larger higher wattage unit . I doubt you would be happy with the one from Harbor Freight . Just my honest opinion on their products .

Bikegeezer · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:07 am Post subject:

I spent my tax return last year on this 7 1/2 gallon Crest 2600 HT. Got it from an eBay superstore that discounts them about 30%. It'll hold an assembled 4 cylinder carb rack with lots of room to spare.

The best results I've had with aluminum were with the ultrasonic cleaning solution that came with the machine. But those solutions are real pricey. Tried Purple Power @ 10% concentration. Works good, but keep the heat low, or it'll blacken the carbs. Currently using 3 quarts Yahaha carb dip to 7 gallons of water. This works very well. But I pull the carbs apart as much as possible and clean off the heavy stuff with carb spray before all the parts go into the tank. Otherwise, the tank bottom gets coated with crud pretty quickly, and that cuts the ultrasonic action way down.

These things clean by the action of microscopic bubbles imploding against the surfaces of your parts (cavitation). That's why it cleans the tiny passages in the carb castings that can't be gotten to any other way. The action enhances the cleaning power of whatever solution you're using, but that solution needs to be able to remove the type of dirt you're dealing with. Plain water does a good job on that white mineral crud that sometimes fouls up the carb bodies. After cleaning, I put the parts in a large glass or metal container full of water and float it in the tank to remove the cleaning solution residue.

Stu

fasterspider · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:18 am Post subject:

Stu, that is awesome.
I wish I could afford a tool like that.

Bikegeezer · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 8:10 am Post subject:

Ray,
I couldn't afford it. It was my wife's idea - said I'd regret getting one that couldn't hold the things I needed to clean. She was probably right. If it weren't for the windfall tax return, I probably would have gotten one of those little jewelry cleaners that barely can hold one carb, because I'm cheap. Then she'd hear me carping that it wasn't big enough. I hate hearing "I told you so". Wink

Stu

sandman · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 7:21 pm Post subject:

Bikegeezer-
That's exactly the size unit I'm looking at. I agree with you, anything that can't handle a bank of four carbs or a bare fork slider isn't worth the frustration, and would be a waste of money. The Harbor Freight cleaners are silly, junky little toys meant for jewelry cleaning. At 19 1/2" internal length, the Crest you have willl handle the mc stuff you need to clean most often, no problem. Crest seems to be pretty good stuff, my local suspension specialist has a ProUltrasonics unit that he paid $6500 for! Best price I found for yours is $1200:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Crest-7-Gallon-CP2600HT-Ultrasonic-Heated-Cleaner_W0QQitemZ360240069044QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53dffb39b4

Bikegeezer · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:54 am Post subject:

fasterspider · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 11:50 am Post subject:

dorT500 · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:56 pm Post subject: