Carb cleaner suggestions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga TN
Carb cleaner suggestions
Working on rebuilding my Quadrajet. Used standard brake cleaner and did pretty good job. Curious if others have any suggestions. Thought about buying the carb cleaner dip bucket but hearing mixed reviews.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 767
Likes: 74
From: Blaine MN
I used a dip bucket many years ago (Petrosolve or something), it worked well but if you weren't careful it started to etch the surface finish away. These days I use spray type Carb Cleaner, a brass brush, fine wires etc. and Compressed Air (low pressure). I always felt the Q-jet passages were pretty accessible. Maybe lars will weigh in, he's one of the Q-jet gurus here.
Last edited by suprspooky; Dec 13, 2016 at 10:12 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 316
Likes: 39
From: Machesney Park IL
At the dealership, we always thought the dip was awesome. Put it in, swish it a couple of times, pull it, wash it in the sink, and it was ready to rebuild. In a dealership, with 3-4 or more a week, that worked. Personal use, I would say it amounts to buying an expensive chemical, using it once or twice, then having a hazardous waste to get rid of. The way Spooky does it, and using the tube on the carb cleaner might be best for at home cleanings.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 767
Likes: 74
From: Blaine MN
At the dealership, we always thought the dip was awesome. Put it in, swish it a couple of times, pull it, wash it in the sink, and it was ready to rebuild. In a dealership, with 3-4 or more a week, that worked. Personal use, I would say it amounts to buying an expensive chemical, using it once or twice, then having a hazardous waste to get rid of. The way Spooky does it, and using the tube on the carb cleaner might be best for at home cleanings.
I still wonder if all the old fumes are the reason I bought the 68 tri power I spent this spring and summer resurrecting ( tri power is a thing of beauty when it's happy, otherwise not so much 
)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
most spray carb cleaners work well. I use the walmart stuff because it's cheap and I go through a dozen cans a month.
I would not use brake cleaner on a carb, it doesn't dissolve the carbon and gum, it's for dissolving oil and evaporating quickly and cleanly.
I usually start by spraying the carb and using a plastic brush on the outside if it's really crusty, and blow it off with the compressor. i'll soak the internal parts I removed in a dish filled with carb cleaner while I spray and clean the inside of the disassembled body. blow it off and repeat if necessary.
for a crusty Q-jet i'll go through a couple of cans.
I would not use brake cleaner on a carb, it doesn't dissolve the carbon and gum, it's for dissolving oil and evaporating quickly and cleanly.
I usually start by spraying the carb and using a plastic brush on the outside if it's really crusty, and blow it off with the compressor. i'll soak the internal parts I removed in a dish filled with carb cleaner while I spray and clean the inside of the disassembled body. blow it off and repeat if necessary.
for a crusty Q-jet i'll go through a couple of cans.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,599
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Rookie here: In dealing with an old crusty carb I did the above, but also completely disassembled the carb and used fine wire and high pressure air to remove the crust from inside the tiny passageways. (Wear safety glasses)
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 14, 2016 at 02:44 PM.
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Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
I own the 5 gal bucket of this stuff.......use a coathanger to hang off the side and pop the lid on.......I go about 4-6 hours then remove......spray it off with brakeclean then I pop it into my 9 litre ultrasonic cleaner for a bright finish.......
I offe rthis service and do about 20 carbs a year....automotive and bike.......
I specialize in Honda and Suzuki multicarb setups......and Holley/Edelbrock.......I stock various parts for both.......
In about six months I will have a full service carb shop.....
Anyway...the Berryman stuff is the most powerful their is and will not damage aluminum.......it WILL remove zinc chromate finishes so beware. It also eats rubber anything......
Jebby
Last edited by Jebbysan; Dec 15, 2016 at 04:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga TN
This what you referring to? https://www.berrymanproducts.com/pro...parts-cleaner/
I own the 5 gal bucket of this stuff.......use a coathanger to hang off the side and pop the lid on.......I go about 4-6 hours then remove......spray it off with brakeclean then I pop it into my 9 litre ultrasonic cleaner for a bright finish.......
I offe rthis service and do about 20 carbs a year....automotive and bike.......
I specialize in Honda and Suzuki multicarb setups......and Holley/Edelbrock.......I stock various parts for both.......
In about six months I will have a full service carb shop.....
Anyway...the Berryman stuff is the most powerful their is and will not damage aluminum.......it WILL remove zinc chromate finishes so beware. It also eats rubber anything......
Jebby
I own the 5 gal bucket of this stuff.......use a coathanger to hang off the side and pop the lid on.......I go about 4-6 hours then remove......spray it off with brakeclean then I pop it into my 9 litre ultrasonic cleaner for a bright finish.......
I offe rthis service and do about 20 carbs a year....automotive and bike.......
I specialize in Honda and Suzuki multicarb setups......and Holley/Edelbrock.......I stock various parts for both.......
In about six months I will have a full service carb shop.....
Anyway...the Berryman stuff is the most powerful their is and will not damage aluminum.......it WILL remove zinc chromate finishes so beware. It also eats rubber anything......
Jebby
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
This what you referring to? https://www.berrymanproducts.com/pro...parts-cleaner/
Jebby
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I use the gallon bucket of carb cleaner. When working with Q-Jet parts, I pour the gallon into an aluminum foil roaster pan; soak the larger bodies and throttle plate for a bit (to loosen the crud); then use a round bristle brush [in the carb cleaner] to get all the gunk off the surfaces. That minimizes the time that parts are immersed in the cleaner and does save the original surface [zinc] plating from being lost. Of course, that plating is now very gray from conversion to zinc oxide...but it is still 'original' The other metal parts can get put in the dip pan and placed in the gallon can for soaking/cleaning.
If you do this, do it with lots of flowing air to remove cleaner fumes, rubber gloves to protect skin...and a cold beer for when you finish!
If you do this, do it with lots of flowing air to remove cleaner fumes, rubber gloves to protect skin...and a cold beer for when you finish!
Last edited by 7T1vette; Dec 16, 2016 at 12:57 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,391
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Many of us have moved away from the traditional, petroleum-based carb cleaners: They stink up the shop, they absorb through your skin, they can damage plating if the parts are left too long, and they are impossible to dispose of unless you have a haz-mat pickup service (costing you more than the purchase price of the cleaner). We now use green formula water-based heavy duty industrial cleaners, and run these cleaners at about 180 degrees, in a strong concentration dilution ratio, to clean up the carbs. No stink, no mess, and easy to dispose of. 
Lars
Lars
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
I've heard using simple green does work well, especially if you make a heated parts washer out of a big old crockpot...never tried it but meaning to some time...
Lars is right about petroleum based cleaners soaking into your skin, makes your wedding ring burn if it is gold, somewhat nasty stuff. stings like a bi--h if you get it in your eye and it soaks into your contact lense. but that's just part of the game for us old timers...
and don't breathe brake cleaner. you will get super buzzed...in tech school they had to lock it up due to the hooligans huffing it from the shop towels...
Lars is right about petroleum based cleaners soaking into your skin, makes your wedding ring burn if it is gold, somewhat nasty stuff. stings like a bi--h if you get it in your eye and it soaks into your contact lense. but that's just part of the game for us old timers...
and don't breathe brake cleaner. you will get super buzzed...in tech school they had to lock it up due to the hooligans huffing it from the shop towels...