Ultrasonic Cleaner

[8ntruck 8,859]

Looks like I've got some carb work coming up this summer.  An ultrasonic cleaner would be a handy tool for this.  HF has one about the right size for a reasonable price.

 

Anybody out there have comments or advice on this subject?

[ebinmaine 78,809]

I bought the Vevor 10L size 3 years ago. 

 

Works good. 

 

 

[adsm08 4,459]

Watch which solvents you use. Many common ultrasonic solvents are caustic to aluminum. 

 

There is one on Amazon that is aluminum safe. Not cheap, but better than ruining the carb you are looking to save.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Ultrasonic-Solution-Carburetors-Cleaning-Immersion/dp/B09KK6KR3Z/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=MW4TT953L7DP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Hf_fBUuXW1HjooHlm4YwrBUClH2-3mM_H0HsbKVuqsEr6xWToJl7pLZH2SE2-xMxl9-GXlWUOxmOjCVfWK65n1QUWwDHE-Ig7OIPL9WTQ7WVsFmSWxodHSxVfb-U8qD0SaaO8UlL2IsXuXlpV38sxnOn_rDrwLSlySXPMKkzkZbrvs8yh8oPNdujjtpF7PlnBxsgibVw3D4OY6A5Qbz4ibIW5qZgP3SpbVhX0xBIJ4io4_dLZ6zXkrlj3nl2biQYHbtYIvG4K-00gcY69oNCZULueCRC2vA5DavITXrx-r4.8PaEza685VoiKldJEjDUbJ954mL2_u1HO3n2B5tZcj0&dib_tag=se&keywords=ultrasonic%2Bcleaner%2Bfor%2Bcarburetors&qid=1779653786&s=automotive&sprefix=ultraso%2Cautomotive%2C157&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

[ebinmaine 78,809]

1 minute ago, adsm08 said:

Watch which solvents you use. Many common ultrasonic solvents are caustic to aluminum

 

 

Excellent point.  

 

 

I've been using lacquer thinner for a few years. 

Time is limited.  

[Handy Don 16,590]

I was gifted the HF 2.5L at Christmas. I’ve cleaned three carbs and a few other things and I’m pleased.

 

It came with some cleaning powder that is caustic to aluminum so I’ve been using Simple Green Pro (the purple stuff) on anything aluminum.

 

One “oops” was forgetting I had a K181 carb “in the soup.” The machine turned itself off just fine, but I remembered it was there only three days later. The carb was clean as I’d hoped, but the “soup” had darkened the entire surface of the carb to resemble aged bronze!  I plate sanded the faces of the flanges and the regular aluminum color came right back. The aluminum bowl, however was its normal color--clearly different alloys reacting differently. Moral: Don’t forget to take stuff out and rinse it!

Edited 16 hours ago by Handy Don

[Brockport Bill 2,341]

how many minutes do each of you run the unit to get your item clean?

how many minutes can your machine operate in cleaning cycle before it times out and has to be re-started?  

thanks. Bill

[oliver2-44 11,480]

1. My cleaner has a 30 minute cycle. I typically run carbs 3  times. More on really dirty ones.  

Edited 11 hours ago by oliver2-44

[ri702bill 12,100]

7 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

1. My cleaner has a 30 minute cycle. I typically run carbs 3  times. More on really dirty ones.  

And use hot water if you dilute the cleaner, and use the heater on the unit while in use....

[ebinmaine 78,809]

8 hours ago, Brockport Bill said:

how many minutes do each of you run the unit to get your item clean?

how many minutes can your machine operate in cleaning cycle before it times out and has to be re-started?  

thanks. Bill

 

The unit I posted a picture of above has a timer for 35 or 40 minutes. 

 

On an average cleaning I'll do 3 or 4 sets of that. 

I've had particularly nasty cases where I've left a carb in the lacquer thinner for a couple weeks and cycled the machine a dozen times or more.  

 

The usage alone will generate some heat. Not much, but definitely a noticeable change.  

I do NOT use the additional heat because of the fire potential.  

[Handy Don 16,590]

The HD 2.5L timer has a max of 8 minutes with or without heat. The worst carb took four sessions with some manual cleaning in between on stuff loosened by the machine.  

 

I must also point out that the tank is barely deep enough for full immersion of the K181 and B&S 12hp carb bodies so if larger items are in your plans, you might need separate passes in different orientations. To me, though, keeping the lid on while it’s cleaning helps avoid evaporation of the solution. 

Edited 1 minute ago by Handy Don