Carburetor Cleaner

SouthernFarmall · Jul 7, 2012

I have a gallon of carb cleaner I got from NAPA. The label says to soak a carb for 20 minutes, longer if it is really bad. 20 minutes is never enough time for it to work for me. If I take out all rubber parts (like the needle, gaskets, etc.), how long can I safely soak it?

SF

BigMarv1085 · Jul 7, 2012

I usually disassemble and soak ovenight

old · Jul 7, 2012

I can not say for sure but I have a can of Berryman's the old stuff as in 10 plus years old and I leave carbs in it for days some times weeks

rustyfarmall · Jul 7, 2012

(quoted from post at 11:42:23 07/07/12) I have a gallon of carb cleaner I got from NAPA. The label says to soak a carb for 20 minutes, longer if it is really bad. 20 minutes is never enough time for it to work for me. If I take out all rubber parts (like the needle, gaskets, etc.), how long can I safely soak it?

SF

You can leave it in there for as long as it takes, but if it is still not clean after soaking overnight, you may need to do some scraping and wire brushing to help it along. 30 years ago or so, carb cleaner was strong enough to easily clean the gunkiest carb in 20 minutes or less. Thanks to the EPA, today's carb cleaner is the same as worthless.

sgtbull · Jul 7, 2012

Be careful.. soaking too long can end up leaving a residue on the carb that is tough to get off. In my experience, using GUNK brand cleaner can discolor steel and brass parts. Cast iron parts aren't too problematic though. If using fresh carb cleaner, try 30 minutes. The brass will go from cruddy to shiny.. and then back to cruddy, but for a different reason. Do NOT let it soak overnight. You'll not like the results.

rustyfarmall · Jul 8, 2012

(quoted from post at 15:20:58 07/07/12) Be careful.. soaking too long can end up leaving a residue on the carb that is tough to get off. In my experience, using GUNK brand cleaner can discolor steel and brass parts. Cast iron parts aren't too problematic though. If using fresh carb cleaner, try 30 minutes. The brass will go from cruddy to shiny.. and then back to cruddy, but for a different reason. Do NOT let it soak overnight. You'll not like the results.

I have never experienced such a thing, but then I always rinse the carb parts with HOT water when they come out of the cleaner.

Dalrymple · Jul 8, 2012

(quoted from post at 18:20:58 07/07/12) Be careful.. soaking too long can end up leaving a residue on the carb that is tough to get off. In my experience, using GUNK brand cleaner can discolor steel and brass parts. Cast iron parts aren't too problematic though. If using fresh carb cleaner, try 30 minutes. The brass will go from cruddy to shiny.. and then back to cruddy, but for a different reason. Do NOT let it soak overnight. You'll not like the results.

I can vouch for sgtbull on this story, although I think my experience was with Berryman. I rebuilt A LOT of automotive carbs 25-30 years ago. 45 minutes in the good stuff was my limit. Left a nasty one in overnight once and it never looked right again.

You can't get that kind of cleaner any more though.

Carburetor Cleaner

SouthernFarmall

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BigMarv1085

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old

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rustyfarmall

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sgtbull

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rustyfarmall

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Dalrymple

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