Carburetor Cleaning

[mswyka]

Good morning.  I am hoping that someone can share with me the best approaches to cleaning Mikuni VM carburetors.

Thank you.

[gixxer6]

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. 

[rminier]

 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.

[mswyka]

Good input.  I am interested also if anyone has experience with ultrasonic cleaning.

[kawhead]

I have an ultra sonic, like it....cleans varnish, not corrosion

[Interceptor398]

I also have one and like it.

[sprocket]

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

[mswyka]

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.

[Lloyd (ljm)]

 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.

[mswyka]

  Have not bought new jets since I bought the ultra sonic cleaner.

This is an interesting.  Thank you.

[mswyka]

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.

[Interceptor398]

I am surprised by the color, do you know what was used for a cleaning solution?

[mswyka]

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?

[Interceptor398]

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?

[Kamasaki 550]

     Those do look nice and clean.

What's the cost of having that done?

Do have them reassembled yet?