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just looking for a few opinions, i have an ultra sonic cleaner i bought from Harbor freight... ( dont laugh please) it works pretty well i think, sometimes after 2 cleanings for stubborn dirt. i bought the solvent from harbor freight... what kind of cleaners do ya all use ?? im thinking of trying Dawn dish detergent.

If going with Dawn get the Dawn Platinum version.

It is a lot cheaper as you want change the solution as it gets dirty. Depending how the carbs or other parts will determine how often you change it out. And it is important to pre-clean the items exterior of most of the loose grime first. And it doesn't run a rinse cycle after cleaning [basically just plain water].

I have been using Dawn for years with goods results. My problem was I outgrew that small size unit quickly and now use a larger 10 liter model.

StarTech said:

If going with Dawn get the Dawn Platinum version.

It is a lot cheaper as you want change the solution as it gets dirty. Depending how the carbs or other parts will determine how often you change it out. And it is important to pre-clean the items exterior of most of the loose grime first. And it doesn't run a rinse cycle after cleaning [basically just plain water].

I have been using Dawn for years with goods results. My problem was I outgrew that small size unit quickly and now use a larger 10 liter model.

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thats good advice, i am in the habit of blowin the dirt off the outside with carb cleaner and an air nozzle. and i have been changing it every use. ive prolly only done 15 carbs since i bought it.

I have been using the Simple Green Pro HD that is metal safe. It cleans well and doesn't discolor metals. The orange big box hardware store has it by the gallon. I use about a cup and clean hot water.

sgkent said:

I have been using the Simple Green Pro HD that is metal safe. It cleans well and doesn't discolor metals. The orange big box hardware store has it by the gallon. I use about a cup and clean hot water.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Simple-Green-Pro-HD-Heavy-Duty-Cleaner-1-Gallon-2110000413421/100550784?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&pla=&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_004_CLEANING-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX_SHP_JControl24&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_004_CLEANING-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX_SHP_JControl24-20455393822--&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20278984047&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UcaIZiG3My97zreX-GE-SK3g&gclid=CjwKCAiAxc_JBhA2EiwAFVs7XHaupxnPF-InN-7xvG4FWg7ZVN0v4LmXA1157YCbrJR4EQ2KF2XgahoCOf4QAvD_BwE

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thanks for the tip, i was thinking of a degreaser/detergent

On carbs that are dirty/gunky on the outside if I cannot remove enough of the gunk by hand cleaning first I sometimes give them a heated run or two before taking them apart so as to clean the outside. It also seems to help them come apart easier and lets the gaskets relax somewhat.
I just use Dawn and water.
I do not use heat on several of the old vintge NLA replacement chainsaw carbs and just give them a quick US run Some have non-serviceable internal check valves (walbro is one make) that are old and heat will distort and ruin the check valves.
I got one that is large enough to do Automotive carbs (quadrajets) and other parts and mine has manual controls. (holds about 2 1/2 gallons of liquid)

At first I tried the more expensive US cleaners but only use them when doing brass or other metals. (not necessary for carbs)

I use distilled water with a little bit of Dawn or simple Green Pro after the carburetor has had all heavy external debris removed.

Note: Do not use too much cleaner because it defeats the purpose of ultrasonic action of the machine.

I feel heat is the key to a good cleaning. Helps the degreaser to perform better.

I use a cheap hot plate and a garage sale pot. All under 5-10 bucks worth on facetrash marketplace.

Used to use Pine-Sol. It's all chemical now as Clorox reformulated Pine-Sol. Doesn't clean like the old real deal pine oil did.

I use purple power concentrate. It's a high pH soap that works the same as any Dawn I've tried.

slomo said:

I feel heat is the key to a good cleaning. Helps the degreaser to perform better.

I use a cheap hot plate and a garage sale pot. All under 5-10 bucks worth on facetrash marketplace.

Used to use Pine-Sol. It's all chemical now as Clorox reformulated Pine-Sol. Doesn't clean like the old real deal pine oil did.

I use purple power concentrate. It's a high pH soap that works the same as any Dawn I've tried.

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i suppose that would get hotter than my ultrasonic heater... i think that lomit is 140 F

Whatever be carefully of using heat. There are some parts that can be damaged by it.

Pull all rubber and plastic out of the carb. Let the solution just simmer boil for an hour. Really works on the older stubborn ones like the pulsa-jets and such.

Most ultra sonics don't get hot enough in my opinion. Most just get up to temp as the cleaning cycle comes to the end.

slomo said:

Pull all rubber and plastic out of the carb. Let the solution just simmer boil for an hour. Really works on the older stubborn ones like the pulsa-jets and such.

Most ultra sonics don't get hot enough in my opinion. Most just get up to temp as the cleaning cycle comes to the end.

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Which would a good reason not to do 2 cycle cubes as they have non removable rubber check valves.

StarTech said:

Whatever be carefully of using heat. There are some parts that can be damaged by it.

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yes for sure