Naphtha for cleaning carbs and fuel pumps

[FrankWest]

Has anyone used a long soak of a carb or fuel pump in Naphtha to dissolve gunk. I use it often to clean watches and clocks. Although, they do no have to fuel residues that is common in fuel pumps and carbs. The Naphtha dissolves old old and residue in watches and clocks.

I know that specific products are sold for cleaning carbs but are they really as effective as the old standard Naphtha.

[Mike B]

I use lacquer thinner, I think it's similar?

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by Mike B

I use lacquer thinner, I think it's similar?

Does the Lacquer thinner dissolve deposits just by soaking, or do you have to scrape hard to get off deposits?

[wbedwards]

I used lacquer thinner just recently and it did a good job on mine. I had to brush some of it and used tooth picks and compressed air.

[G.M.]

Denatured alcohol works best. G.M.

[Mike B]

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Originally Posted by FrankWest

Does the Lacquer thinner dissolve deposits just by soaking, or do you have to scrape hard to get off deposits?

Are you talking about the outside of the carb, or inside?...before I rebuild an old carb, after taking it apart, I soak in solvent, and use a parts brush to clean up the outside, ...rinse and drop it all in the thinner for a day or two, after that, compressed air through the passages.

Please note however, I've never tried to bring one back to life that had been sitting in the field for 50 years...just stuff that hadn't been run for a few years

[scicala]

Lacquer thinner (mineral spirits) and Naptha are similar. Naptha I believe is a little oily compared to lacquer thinner. Both are kind of wimpy for removing deposits. I would say they are better used as a rinse (Lacquer thinner) after cleaning with something stronger. There will never be anything like the stuff from the 50's, 60's and 70's.

Sal

[FrankWest]

I was wondering..If you consider what kind of residue fuel will leave behind, there must be a solvent for that substance. We are only talking about fuel...doesn't it become gummy and hard like wax? Surly, there must be something that can dissolve that residue, and I didn't meant to call you Shirley.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

Has anyone used a long soak of a carb or fuel pump in Naphtha to dissolve gunk. I use it often to clean watches and clocks. Although, they do no have to fuel residues that is common in fuel pumps and carbs. The Naphtha dissolves old old and residue in watches and clocks.

I know that specific products are sold for cleaning carbs but are they really as effective as the old standard Naphtha.

We have some stuff at our other shop that comes on a 5 gallon pail with a screen basket we use for cleaning aluminum and white metal parts like carbs. A soak over night cleans the real dirty ones. To get all the internal passages clean you have to make sure a wire will pass through before soak.

[tiquer]

Ok here one for you Pinesol soak for a couple days rince of with a good sovent and just like new

[tubman]

There is a post on another board about using a small industrial ultrasonic cleaner for this. IIRC, it held 3 qts and cost around $100. The poster swore by the results; I'll see if I can find it. I'm on the road until next week, so it may take a while.

[FrankWest]

I have a large ultrasonic cleaner I used to us for large clock movements. Worked great on them but then I used a very expensive clock cleaner without ammonia.
Ammonia is used in many new clock cleaners and it actually eats away at the metal, and the last thing you want in a clock cleaner is to have it eat away at crucial parts like bearing and teeth. But I am not sure this cleaning solution or Ultrasonic cleaning would dissolve the hardened gunk in a carb or furl pump. Ulsonic cleaning basically clean dirt that IS stuck to the moving parts it does not really dissolve deposits. I think the Naphtha or lacquer thinner does that kind of dissolving

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by tiquer

Ok here one for you Pinesol soak for a couple days rince of with a good sovent and just like new

is that straight pinesol from the bottle?

[tubman]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

I have a large ultrasonic cleaner I used to us for large clock movements. Worked great on them but then I used a very expensive clock cleaner without ammonia.
Ammonia is used in many new clock cleaners and it actually eats away at the metal, and the last thing you want in a clock cleaner is to have it eat away at crucial parts like bearing and teeth. But I am not sure this cleaning solution or Ultrasonic cleaning would dissolve the hardened gunk in a carb or furl pump. Ulsonic cleaning basically clean dirt that IS stuck to the moving parts it does not really dissolve deposits. I think the Naphtha or lacquer thinner does that kind of dissolving

I think the guy said he used a Dawn dish soap and water solution. Again, I just saw this somewhere and thought I'd chime in. I do know my wife has a cheapo ultrasonic jewelry cleaner that she says works much better than anything else she has ever used.

[uncle max]

10-4!

Originally Posted by g.m.

denatured alcohol works best. G.m.

[39topless]

Naptha and automatic trans fluid, mixed 50/50 works well. A final rinse with lacquer thinner should remove any residue.

[oldskool]

I have used easyoff oven cleaner , I spray on and use a tooth brush use rubber gloves and eye protection as this has lye in it

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by oldskool

I have used easyoff oven cleaner , I spray on and use a tooth brush use rubber gloves and eye protection as this has lye in it

Great idea! Oven Cleaner! I will try that!

[Bubba]

Easy off will eat aluminum if left on very long.

Berryman B--12 Chemtool works good also. Spray or pour on.

[corvette8n]

I have used toilet bowl cleaner for the outside of the carb only, the old fashioned strong stuff, just don't leave it on too long as your carb will disappear. It makes it look factory new.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by corvette8n

I have used toilet bowl cleaner for the outside of the carb only, the old fashioned strong stuff, just don't leave it on too long as your carb will disappear. It makes it look factory new.

I must have ammonia in it. AMMONIA IS VERY caustic..and it will dissolve aluminum and some other metals.
Is the fuel pump body made out of aluminum ? Looks like it or a pot metal of some sort.

[DavidG]

Zinc die castings (upper and lower bodies), brass, and steel are the materials used in the construction of the pump. No aluminum was used.

[Charlie ny]

Ultra sound with heat, 95% water 5% TOP JOB or what ever BJ's has on sale. 20
years ago mine was $700. 8 to 10 hours, even frees up stuck throttle shafts (sometimes).
minimal tooth pick and brushing still req'd. Blowout with various wands & final swish in laq thnr.
Charlie ny

[marko39]

i have a gallon of carb cleaner made by Gunk. Comes with a basket and works well but may not be available in all states. second best is acetone.

[big job]

I still use lacquer thinner and brush good soak. then blow it out the its sprayed with
aluminum brightener then wash with water blow out. If this was bad truckers wouldn't
use it ......

[Los_Control]

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I watch a youtube channel Mustie1, first time was when searching for some help with a riding lawn mower problem.
But he works on all kinds of old junk, cars, diesel tractors, boat motors etc...
He uses a ultrasonic cleaner and has tried many different soaps and concoctions for a cleaning solution. Couple years later and simply uses Berrymans carburetor cleaner in it now.
Another vote for the ultrasonic cleaner from me

[cadillac512]

If you have gummy sticky brown residue from old evaporated gasoline,acetone is far better than most other "thinner type" liquids.



Marko39 mentioned the same, as well as the "Gunk" brand cold soak cleaner...it is great for carbs and is what we used in the past for carb rebuilds in the shops.


Terry