How dirty is too dirty for carbs to be cleaned?

I found a set of carbs on ebay for an 82 XJ750. They said they sat for like 2 years.

I thought what the heck & tossed a $35 bid on them.

I happened to win them & after taking the bowls off I am not so sure. everything is varnished solid.

I would appreciate any tips or ideas on where to start.

 

Nothing is too dirty. Heat up some pinesol or lemon juice and soak the heck out of them, take them out and scrub with old tooth brush.

Lather -rinse - repeat as the saying goes.

Of course all the seals and rubber bits should be replaced.

 

let them sit in Chem-dip for a while :lol:

 

I just got a sonic cleaner,

I need to find the correct cleaning solution for it. It does say that it is not for heavy soil.

I am curious how it does on the little jets.

Will it hurt the diaphrams to sit in the cleaners? Granted they could be toasted already.

 

if i was u i would replace the gaskets and diaphrams anyways but i dont remember if took the floats off or not last time i used Chem-dip, any one else remember? lol

http://www.berrymanproducts.com/Default.aspx?tabid=146

 

I will try to save them the new diaphram set costs almost as much as the bike did

HCP69SET4 OEM Hitachi carb VACUUM DIAPHRAM AND PISTON ASSEMBLIES, set of 4:
$ 539.00

The gaskets & o-rings I will replace for sure

 

i'd probably break the carbs completely apart and run them through the ultrasonic cleaner. You wouldn't want the rubber to dissolve and gum up anything else.

 

You need to get the heavy stuff off first. I agree to use Carb Dip and get all the heavy goo off before the Ultra Sonic Cleaner.

 

+1. I've even gone the oldschool route of several cans of carb cleaner spray, and a toothbrush. Time consuming and monotonous, but it works.

 

be careful with the diaphragms, they're "sensitive." I would remove the diaphragm/slide assembly and carefully clean those by hand. I wouldn't SOAK them (the diaphragms) in anything.

 

+1 too fragile and expensive!

 

Thanks for the tips & ideas.


I will take my time with them.

 

+1 (or whatever number you choose) on the carb dip. Get the gaskets off the bowls and let them sit for a couple of days in the dip -- you're going to need that to even stand a chance at getting those starter jets open.

 

You know what works really good to dissolve old gasoline?

Gasoline.

Just soak 'em OUTSIDE.

I have participated in the resurrection of MANY "barn find" British bikes. I've seen carbs so bad you couldn't even take them apart. First step? Drop the whole damn thing in a coffeecan full of gas and let it sit for 3 days. Still I'm not recommending soaking diaphragms, these carbs are a bit different. But for those float bowls I'd start by soaking them in gas.

 

"the hair of the dog that bit you"