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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mswyka on January 28, 2019, 07:07:51 AM

Title: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: mswyka on January 28, 2019, 07:07:51 AM
Good morning.  I am hoping that someone can share with me the best approaches to cleaning Mikuni VM carburetors.

Thank you.
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: gixxer6 on January 28, 2019, 08:40:57 AM
I'm sure there are better ways, but this is what I do:

1.  Completely disassemble
2.  Clean each small piece with a can of carb cleaner and a stiff bristle brush (use the carb bowl to hold the pieces and collect the carb cleaner)
3.  If really bad, let them soak in the bowl overnight
4.  Clean carb body with the brush and carb cleaner, make sure every passage is clean and easy to blow through
5.  Replace pilot, main, and power jet
6.  Replace needle and seat if worn, or questionable
7.  Reassemble. 

Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: rminier on January 28, 2019, 09:03:18 AM
 Here is a pretty good post:

https://www.dootalk.com/forums/topic/352682-how-to-clean-your-mikuni-carb/

Use a really good screwdriver to remove pilot jet....one that has a tip like new and is large enough it barely fits down into the well where the pilot jet sits.
I often use small Vise-Grips on the screwdriver handle to be able to push down hard so the screwdriver tip doesn't slip in the slot of the pilot jet.
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: mswyka on January 28, 2019, 10:27:56 AM
Good input.  I am interested also if anyone has experience with ultrasonic cleaning.
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: kawhead on January 28, 2019, 03:19:25 PM
I have an ultra sonic, like it....cleans varnish, not corrosion
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: Interceptor398 on January 28, 2019, 05:21:15 PM
I also have one and like it.
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: sprocket on January 29, 2019, 06:34:34 AM
I use Sierra  disassemble the whole carburetor put it into a bowl spray the stuff on use a light brush to clean off take a hot bucket of water take all your parts out put it in the water take a blowgun and dry all the parts off including o rings makes everything look new & works great
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: mswyka on January 29, 2019, 06:48:08 AM
I appreciate all the input.  Last night I sent two carbs to a friend's shop to go through his ultrasonic.  I am anxious to see how they come out.
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: Lloyd (ljm) on January 30, 2019, 11:53:42 AM
 I used to take them apart and soak in Pine-Sol.  Worked not too bad.  I always replaced the jets with new ones.

 Now I take them apart. Put the pieces in the ultrasonic cleaner.  Have not bought new jets since I bought the ultra sonic cleaner.


Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: mswyka on January 30, 2019, 11:59:22 AM
  Have not bought new jets since I bought the ultra sonic cleaner.

This is an interesting.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: mswyka on February 04, 2019, 08:15:28 PM
First pair of carbs came back from going through the ultrasonic cleaner.  They are very clean, not shiny, but certainly very clean.  Looks like this is a good approach.
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: Interceptor398 on February 05, 2019, 07:39:07 AM
I am surprised by the color, do you know what was used for a cleaning solution?
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: mswyka on February 05, 2019, 09:25:18 AM
I am surprised by the color, do you know what was used for a cleaning solution?

I don't know, but I can check.

What color would you have expected?  And what solution would you expect?
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: Interceptor398 on February 05, 2019, 03:33:05 PM
Mine came out the color of the bowls.  I have 2 Lyman turbo sonic solutions, one for steel and one for brass but none for aluminum.  If I remember correctly I used greased lightning?
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: Kamasaki 550 on February 05, 2019, 05:11:40 PM
     Those do look nice and clean.

What's the cost of having that done?

Do have them reassembled yet?

Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: mswyka on February 05, 2019, 05:34:34 PM
     Those do look nice and clean.

What's the cost of having that done?

Do have them reassembled yet?

Actually, it didn't cost me anything.  It is good to have friends.  Reassembly will occur later this week.
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: kawhead on February 06, 2019, 10:44:04 AM
looks like simple green was used on those carbs
Title: Re: Carburetor Cleaning
Post by: mswyka on February 06, 2019, 05:54:41 PM
The end result could have been the cleaner, or could have been an artifact of how bad they were to start with.