Welcome, Guest
Username: Password: Remember me
  • Page:
  • 1

TOPIC:

Ultrasonic cleaning carbs (aluminum) 10 Jul 2020 20:30 #830326

  • M_a_t_t
  • M_a_t_t's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Posts: 254
  • Thank you received: 41
When I was looking into ultra sonic cleaning (just generally) many places said you can't clean aluminum with out degrading the surface. I have seen many on here ultrasonic clean their carbs and have reported good success. Is aluminum safe in the ultrasonic cleaner or is it just potentially degrading to the surface finish? I've since bought an ultrasonic cleaner, but have not put any aluminum parts in yet. I have a few master cylinders that need cleaned and rebuilt that I'd like to try, but don't have the funds to start buying new housings.

What's the consensus?
83 KZ1100A (shaft)
17 Versys X 300 abs
81 kz650h1
81 kz750e2
90 Honda CBR600F (brother's)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Ultrasonic cleaning carbs (aluminum) 10 Jul 2020 20:55 #830328

  • krazee1
  • krazee1's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 365
  • Thank you received: 196
I just have a very inexpensive unit from Harbor Freight. I use it to clean black powder cap and ball cylinders, and recently used on on this set of carbs. I usually just use Dawn dish soap/water solution instead of the ultrasonic cleaning soap which looks suspiciously like dishwasher detergent to me.

Mike
Former M.E. at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Lincoln, NE
1966 W1 (the Z1 of 1966-50H.P. and 100mph!)
1974 Z1
1978 KZ1000 LTD
1976 KZ900B pile O parts
1980 KZ750E
1980 Honda XL250S (I know, wrong flavor!)
Attachments:
The following user(s) said Thank You: M_a_t_t

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Last edit: by krazee1.

Ultrasonic cleaning carbs (aluminum) 11 Jul 2020 03:31 #830333

  • jwfels
  • jwfels's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 84
  • Thank you received: 32
Simple green has a product labeled aircraft alum cleaner, have used on carbs mixed about 25%
Z1A AND 81 650
The following user(s) said Thank You: M_a_t_t

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Ultrasonic cleaning carbs (aluminum) 11 Jul 2020 05:52 #830337

  • TexasKZ
  • TexasKZ's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 7166
  • Thank you received: 2043
It all depends on which liquid is used in the machine. Some cleaners are very aggressive to aluminum. Choose a cleaner that is safe for aluminum and clean away.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
The following user(s) said Thank You: M_a_t_t

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Ultrasonic cleaning carbs (aluminum) 11 Jul 2020 06:02 #830339

  • slmjim+Z1BEBE
  • slmjim+Z1BEBE's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Enjoy Life! IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE!
  • Posts: 1105
  • Thank you received: 583
Different chemicals react with different metals in different ways. What to use also depends on what contaminants are to be removed.

If fuel contamination/varnish is the issue, we've had very good results with the water-based(!) Yamaha Carb Dip concentrate.

If it's only normal dirt & road grunge, 10% Simple Green in water heated to ~150 F. has worked well for us.

A few years ago we tried various Pine-Sol mix concentrations. They all darkened the finish of carbs to some extent.


Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE
A biker looks at your engine and chrome.
A Rider looks at your odometer and tags.

1972 Z1 x2
1974 Z1-A x2
1975 Z1-B x2
1993 CB 750 Nighthawk x2
2009 ST1300A

www.kawasaki-z-classik.com
An enthusiast's forum focused exclusively
on all things Z1, Z2 and KZ900.

The following user(s) said Thank You: M_a_t_t

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Ultrasonic cleaning carbs (aluminum) 11 Jul 2020 15:53 #830396

  • Nessism
  • Nessism's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Posts: 7255
  • Thank you received: 2658
One of the classic ways that ultrasonic cleaners are tested is by submerging a piece of tin foil and watching how long before it devolves. Guess what I'm suggesting is that ultrasonic cleaning CAN and does erode aluminum. It's not a huge big deal in my experience but I wouldn't do something aluminum with a pristine polished and smooth surface. Carbs should be fine and I've used mine for that purpose quite a few times.
The following user(s) said Thank You: M_a_t_t

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Ultrasonic cleaning carbs (aluminum) 11 Jul 2020 16:04 #830397

  • ckahleer
  • ckahleer's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 391
  • Thank you received: 130
I agree. I grayed a nice shiny set of carburetors in an ultrasonic cleaner once. I still ultrasonic clean beater carbs, but not nice ones.
79 KZ400
82 KZ305
85 VF1100c
85 VT 500c
The following user(s) said Thank You: M_a_t_t

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Ultrasonic cleaning carbs (aluminum) 14 Jul 2020 19:00 #830684

  • ckahleer
  • ckahleer's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 391
  • Thank you received: 130
The carb bowl and body matched before ultrasonic cleaning the body. The bowl was cleaned in the deep sink with Orange Goop hand cleaner and a tooth brush.
79 KZ400
82 KZ305
85 VF1100c
85 VT 500c
Attachments:
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Ultrasonic cleaning carbs (aluminum) 14 Jul 2020 19:20 #830685

  • krazee1
  • krazee1's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 365
  • Thank you received: 196
Orange Goop has a mild abrasive in it, you basically polished the float bowl, ultrasonic cleaners don't polish. Vibratory cleaners can polish depending upon the media, but media can also get into places where you don't want it.(don't ask how I know!)

Mike
Former M.E. at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Lincoln, NE
1966 W1 (the Z1 of 1966-50H.P. and 100mph!)
1974 Z1
1978 KZ1000 LTD
1976 KZ900B pile O parts
1980 KZ750E
1980 Honda XL250S (I know, wrong flavor!)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Page:
  • 1
Powered by Kunena Forum