Solution for soaking Zenith Carb

[Keith]

After disassembling what is the best solution to soak Zenith Carbs in to clean out the passages? Also, what works in Tilston’s?

[Kurt in NJ]

More recently I have been using simple green in heated ultrasonic cleaner and it has cleaned wonderfully

[Will N]

If you really want to do a job on it to be able to run a straight drill through all the passages to drive out any debris, soak it in ammonia. The ammonia dissolves brass, and the small brass plugs sealing the drilled passages will melt away. You'll have to drive in new brass plugs afterward.

[Mike1291]

If you want a less intrusive option you can try EvapoRust and shoot all the passages with an air gun. Beware though that any bare steel with flash rust if you don't paint/coat it.

[JayJay]

I disassemble completely, then soak in carb cleaner followed by Evaporust. I then use a paper clip or piece of safety wire to clean all the air passages, using compressed air to blow them clean. Then I shoot brake cleaner through all the air passages.

[Bob C]

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I soak them in Rust911.

[ModelA29]

Good old smelly Berryman carb cleaner. I haven't bought any in 10 years so I suspect any sold in CA today won't work.

[Gene F]

ModelA29 I have used this. Smells to high heaven just taking the lid off.

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by ModelA29

Good old smelly Berryman carb cleaner. I haven't bought any in 10 years so I suspect any sold in CA today won't work.

So true, unfortunately. “California compliant” means twice as expensive and half as effective. Doesn’t matter whether it’s carb cleaner, brake cleaner, automotive paint or even portable generators.

I’ve used recent Berrymans and it works, sorta, but not nearly as well as the stuff we geezers grew up with. That stuff would take even the gunkiest, most varnish ridden carburetor and return it sparkling clean. New stuff, yeah, it loosens the goo but you have to scrub like hell to get it out.

And don’t get me started on Brakleen. The new green can “50 state compliant” stuff is basically acetone. Fire hazard and it evaporates immediately. I periodically find the old red can stuff in gallon jugs on the river store, so I buy it and put it into a compressed air sprayer.

[Gene F]

JayJay my old 5 gallon can I am still using. That stuff is so wicked the bucket finally began to seep just a vary little bit. Replaced it one after that two, so I am on bucket #3.

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Gene F

JayJay my old 5 gallon can I am still using. That stuff is so wicked the bucket finally began to seep just a vary little bit. Replaced it one after that two, so I am on bucket #3.

I now buy new stuff in one-gallon steel buckets with a dip tray because I had the same thing happen - the stuff rotted out the bottom of the bucket. I do like having the little tray that comes with it. And admittedly, I tend to use the stuff only every several years, but I accumulate a bunch of parts and run them all through at once. But it's not as easy to find as it once was, a lot of the auto parts stores have stopped carrying it. Part and parcel to today's "replace rather than repair" philosophy.

Last couple of years for dirty grease and grime I've taken to using industrial oven cleaner, scrub with a wire brush and wash it off into an oil drip pan. Neutralize with vinegar. Not so good for carburetor parts, but it sure does wonders on engine blocks and everything behind the engine.

[henry's 31]

I also like using Rust 911. It works well and is biodegradable so I imagine California government woul love it. In our club we even run it in the radiator and any rusty parts.

[Waorani]

Berryman sold anywhere doesn't work anymore. Good friend builds lots of carbs and uses Zepresto. Expensive but works. Agree on Rust 911. Works better/faster/longer and is much cheaper than Evaporust.

[Gene F]

Originally Posted by Waorani

Berryman sold anywhere doesn't work anymore. Good friend builds lots of carbs and uses Zepresto. Expensive but works. Agree on Rust 911. Works better/faster/longer and is much cheaper than Evaporust.

Can the average person even buy Zepresto?

[Waorani]

I bought him 5 gal as thanks for many carbs he'd rebuilt for me. Ordered from Zoro. Looks like they still sell but it's gone up $50 since then to $349.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Just an FYI from my experiences. Most carburetors have passages plugged with organic matter. Rust911, EvapoRust, et/al are great for removing rust however I have not found them to do well with unplugging passages which generally have dried gasoline embedded. I have the best luck using Sodium Hydroxide at around 30% solution heated in an ultrasonic cleaner. Once cycled and then allowed to sit overnight, run a second 30 minute cycle followed by blasting passages with air. Then use the rust removers to clean passages and housings from flash rust.

[Waorani]

Wasn't advocating Rust911/similar for general carb cleaning, just rust removal on steel carb parts.