OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Tech Talk Degreasing carb turned it black :/

Hi all,

Picked up a little ultrasonic cleaner to use for a little carb cleaning. I stripped a carb I had, put it in with warm water + some degreaser I had, and when I removed it, it turned it almost black . I'm assuming my degreaser is some sort of racist, and doesn't like alloy (if that's what the carb is made of?) ?
I put it in again to see if I could clean it off, and noticed before starting again that the carb parts (not all) seemed to have some sort of reaction. The carb looked as if it were in the process of being sonic cleaned (tiny tiny bubbles/hazyness coming off the parts), though the cleaner wasn't on.

The cleaner is 3D Orange Degreaser (citrus degreaser). It says Organic d-Limonene on the front, though not sure what that means. https://www.3dproducts.com/product/orange-degreaser/ . I did get it originally for car cleaning, but figured it would be used to degrease parts ?

Is the cleaner and carb likely not compatible ?
or perhaps the dilution maybe too strong ?

Can anyone recommend an alternative cleaner that won't harm parts ?

EDIT: Attached photos. You can see the difference between pre-clean (upside-down pic), and post-cleaner.

Thanks in advance.

Yes Widget, I have heard of that happening. I think the reasoning was micro pitting, not sure though

I watched this video a few months ago, and although I normally don't like recommending videos, this guy gives a good description

Hi Widget and Tyler

I have been submersing small carbs, seized brass fuel taps etc in CLR clear overnight or longer if it's really bad and it seems to do a great job.

Cheers
wce

Thanks Tyler. Petrol seemed to work well in the video, I might give it a shot, see how it goes.


Hey WCE, thanks for the suggestion . Is this the CLR you used http://clrclean.com.au/products/clr-calcium-lime-rust-remover/ ? I came across this on the CLR website, which says CLR can pit certain metals http://www.clrclean.com.au/faqs/what-will-clr-do-to-brass-copper-or-aluminium/. Were the carbs you cleaned aluminium ?

Thanks guys

Hi Widget

Yes, that is the product and all carbs have been alloy, haven't had any issues with it.

cheers
wce

Widget, I have been cleaning these cubes for well over 7 yrs and never used anything stronger than soap and water in my USC. Even household dish soap works for me. I actually use Dawn Ultra (about 8.5pH) many times even though I now a 12.5 pH non residual soap now. Yes it takes a few cycles and changing out the soap/water mix as it gets dirty. But low cost of dish soap makes change outs less costly. With dish soap you need run a water only rinse cycle.

It also advisable to pre-clean the exterior of the carbs which fuel mix works good and won't harm the carb but not good for you especially if you are a smoker. Don't want you to go boom.

Thanks AVB, might give that a shot. I know some people use laundry power in hot water for soaking parts. Do you think that could work also, or would laundry power be too aggressive ?

I don't anything about that product so I can't advise on its use.