Citric acid and carburettor body compatibility

[mangocrazy]

I've recently been using a small ultrasonic cleaner in conjunction with citric acid to remove rust and old plating from a number of small motorcycle parts, with quite a good degree of success. The parts come out a dull dark grey/gunmetal colour with all rust and plating apparently removed - back to metal but with a coating which appears rust resistant to a degree. I'm intending to get most of these parts electroless nickel plated to further improve the corrosion resistance.

One of the reasons I bought the ultrasonic cleaner was to use it on some old motorcycle carburettors I have. They're well gummed up and would need specialist treatment otherwise. There are a bank of four carbs, but they will need to be cleaned individually due to restrictions on the basket size (about 150mm x 100mm x 75mm).

Having seen what citric acid can do to zinc plating, I'm a little nervous about putting carbs into a citric acid solution, as I believe the metal that carbs (Japanese Keihin) are made of has zinc as a constituent part. Any ideas about what cleaning solution I should use to clean my carbs? I don't really want to reduce them to a pile of sludge...

 

[rtbcomp]

Perhaps a soluble degreaser would be best, it may take a while but you can leave the unit buzzing away whilst you get on with something else.

 

[bpcoryton]

you can get a solution that is for use with cleaning carbs in a u/s tank you mix it with warm water for best results.i have some here i use myself.

 

[mangocrazy]

you can get a solution that is for use with cleaning carbs in a u/s tank you mix it with warm water for best results.i have some here i use myself.

That sounds ideal. Could you give me a link or a supplier name, please?

 

[bpcoryton]

That sounds ideal. Could you give me a link or a supplier name, please?

dont know about all the fancy link things but i got mine via e-bay just type in U/S cleaning solution a place called allendale-ultrasonics.co.uk is who i got mine from,just brouht 5L not so long ago.

allendale-ultrasonics.co.uk

 

[kelsham]

I wouldn't use citric acid it will attack aluminium. Thinners or carb cleaner would be worth a try.

Regards Kels.

 

[truckdoctor]

Have you tried carb cleaner, it will remove the debris if left for a while to soak in and then brush off with an old toothbrush. Try and stop it evaporating in a container.

 

[Shox Dr]

Cleaned more than a few carbs in my 3gallon Bransonic ultrasonic cleaner.

Firstly DO NOT USE flammable liquids.

D-limonene: is the stuff I use

 

[superls]

fairy liquid in hot water, worked a treat on my DCI diesel injectors

 

[Chipper]

An age-old trick is dunking carbs in very hot water with lemon juice - very mild citric content. Wouldn't want it too strong. Wonder if the name "Limonene" suggests that as well, mebbe?
Haven't dunked whole carbs but have de-crapped jets with brake cleaner in a small ultrasonic cleaner (well ventilated area etc). My mate has a proper unit and uses proper cleaning liquids, can ask him if any use.

 

[arthur]

Did this the other week with an old carb, one the citic acid does not touch the brass jets at all, two it hardly does a lot too the ally body of the carb even with hot water and a large amount of acid powder, I also dipped the same old carb in brick cleaner! that's right sulphuric acid that always fizzes like crazy but still does little to clean the carb body more just wants to eat it! I also have on hand a pro clean (retal) parts washer with propper fluids, whatever they use works VERY well for cleaning and sometimes a bril or scotch pad, toothbrush and just a good old scrub is the best way, Wurth brake cleaner and carb clean also works well too. In the past Ive even screwed them down to a wooden bench and steam cleaned the carb body's, often does the trick! then blow trough with high power air line...some good online cleaning services too!

 

[mangocrazy]

I think carb or brake cleaner would be good for topical application, i.e. on a particular spot, but if I'm going to dunk a carb in liquid and leave it in an ultrasonic machine for 30 minutes or so, the liquid has to be water based. I'll definitely give them a blast with the air line afterwards, though (having first removed the horribly expensive diaphragms...)

Where do you get your D-Limonene from Shox Dr? Can you also use it as a general purpose degreaser?

 

[Shox Dr]

I buy mine from a local chemical co. 5ltrs is around 25quid ISTR. lastest for ever, cant remember the last time i bought some. Not sure if they sell small amounts to joe public so to speak. Call technicraft in Goole

Be careful what you buy, some companies water it down.

As for uses it will degrease, very very well.

 

[rtbcomp]

I've got 25 litres of citrus de-greaser if you want to bring a small bottle to fill. You can dilute it water:fluid 100:1. I use it 6:1 to degrease scooter engine cases.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25L-Water-Based-Engine-Parts-Degreaser-not-Gunk-type-/250582113740?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CommercialVehicleParts_SM&hash=item3a57db9dcc

 

[Robotstar5]

I've got 25 litres of citrus de-greaser if you want to bring a small bottle to fill.

As he wheels in a carboy on a sack truck

 

[rtbcomp]

He'll be wheeling quite a lot of water out if he does!

 

[Robotstar5]

Can the glass crusher cope with a carboy?

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

I thought brick cleaner was hydrochloric acid

 

[mangocrazy]

I've got 25 litres of citrus de-greaser if you want to bring a small bottle to fill. You can dilute it water:fluid 100:1. I use it 6:1 to degrease scooter engine cases.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25L-Water-Based-Engine-Parts-Degreaser-not-Gunk-type-/250582113740?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CommercialVehicleParts_SM&hash=item3a57db9dcc

Cheers Roger, I'll probably take you up on that offer...

 

[mangocrazy]

I buy mine from a local chemical co. 5ltrs is around 25quid ISTR. lastest for ever, cant remember the last time i bought some. Not sure if they sell small amounts to joe public so to speak. Call technicraft in Goole

Be careful what you buy, some companies water it down.

As for uses it will degrease, very very well.

I actually stumbled across some D'Limonene when I was in Arco earlier in the week, so bought 5l of it. What kind of dilution ratio would you use in a parts washer? There was no dilution info of any kind supplied with it.