ULTRASONIC CARB CLEANING

jrepp44 · Jan 13, 2012

Has anyone had any experience with Ultrasonic carb cleaning? I seem to be having a lot of issues with my small gas engines lately - maybe due to that evil ETHANOL!

leonz · Jan 13, 2012

jrepp44 said:
Has anyone had any experience with Ultrasonic carb cleaning? I seem to be having a lot of issues with my small gas engines lately - maybe due to that evil ETHANOL!

It works and works well, :thumbsup:I would use sea foam to eliminate the ethanol issue and the gum and varnish

JD2007 · Jan 15, 2012

We use a ultra sonic cleaner at work all the time with a cap full of Simple Green mixed in the water & it works great. I'm ran my carburetors from my Honda fourwheelers through it also & it worked.

RandyT · Jan 15, 2012

I use a 6L180 from Sharpertek in my lawnmower repair business with there Shellac Buster cleaner and it seems to work real well but if I have to replace it I will probably go with a bigger unit.

Carbs look new most of the time after just 30 minutes.

dragoneggs · May 11, 2017

Resurrecting old thread here. Thinking of buying the HF ultrasonic cleaner for my small engine carbs. Thoughts?

tomplum · May 12, 2017

I have a HF cleaner. Truth is, if it were cost effective to actually clean a bunch of carbs, there are better ones that take more green out of your wallet. You can use this for other things as well though. If your carb has corrosion damage, replace it. Bad varnish build up, dip it, rinse it and run it through the ultrasonic.

dragoneggs · May 12, 2017

I'm actually thinking it would be good for bolts/screws/nuts and other small parts. Even my wife's jewelry. I wouldn't be using it commercially, just another tool for the my already crowded shop.

kenord · May 12, 2017

I have had the same one H F sells for 8 or 10 years , but I bought it from ebay.
I put hot water in it to start with, and a couple table spoons of automatic dishwashing liquid soap,
It has a built in heater, but seams to work better if I put hot water in it first.
I have cleaned a lot of carbs in it , from saws to tractor carbs. the only thing I don't like about it is the timer , it don't run a very long cycle before shutting down so I just keep resetting it, depending on how dirty the carb is.
It does good for what it is, for the price .

Hope this helps.
Rich

dragoneggs · May 12, 2017

kenord said:
I have had the same one H F sells for 8 or 10 years , but I bought it from ebay.
I put hot water in it to start with, and a couple table spoons of automatic dishwashing liquid soap,
It has a built in heater, but seams to work better if I put hot water in it first.
I have cleaned a lot of carbs in it , from saws to tractor carbs. the only thing I don't like about it is the timer , it don't run a very long cycle before shutting down so I just keep resetting it, depending on how dirty the carb is.
It does good for what it is, for the price .

Hope this helps.
Rich

Thanks for the reply. Having to start with hot water makes sense... I think it draws only 160watts. Not much for heating.

bspeedy · May 12, 2017

I have the HF unit as well. I do recommend it.

A word of warning on the heating function - it does NOT shut off when the timer shuts off. Leaving the unit full of water and plugged in with the heater accidentally left on WILL boil out the water and WILL melt the small parts rack. DON'T ASK ME HOW I KNOW!!!

It cleans really well, though. Good machine.

Stimw · May 12, 2017

I think you are better off with carburetor cleaner and compressed air.
I worked on a pressure washer for a friend. Just Carb cleaner and air, he said it's great now, didn't run that good when it was new!
Been doing it that way for years.

dragoneggs · May 12, 2017

Stimw said:
I think you are better off with carburetor cleaner and compressed air.
I worked on a pressure washer for a friend. Just Carb cleaner and air, he said it's great now, didn't run that good when it was new!
Been doing it that way for years.

I've done it this way for years but my carb that I pulled out my 6hp Mercury outboard seems to be stubborn after a couple tries at it.

firemech · May 12, 2017

Have been using the ultrasonic cleaner on carbs at our marina for about 5 years with the recommended fluid. We strain the fluid through coffee filters about twice a year to help keep it clean and top up as required, It definitely does an awesome job on the crap that forms in carbs today. Did the carb cleaner and compressed air for many years but the new crap seems to immune to carb cleaner. We definitely love our ultrasonic cleaner!

dragoneggs · May 12, 2017

firemech said:
Have been using the ultrasonic cleaner on carbs at our marina for about 5 years with the recommended fluid. We strain the fluid through coffee filters about twice a year to help keep it clean and top up as required, It definitely does an awesome job on the crap that forms in carbs today. Did the carb cleaner and compressed air for many years but the new crap seems to immune to carb cleaner. We definitely love our ultrasonic cleaner!

Good to hear! Looks like I will buy a HF unit on/for Mother's Day. One day only 25% coupon!

Jstpssng · Jun 13, 2020

Bringing this zombie thread back from the dead again. I have a couple of tractor carbs which need cleaning and this seems like a worthwhile investment. Are those of you with the HF (Central Machinery) units still happy with them? Is there a better product that I can buy for $79.99? (Before the coupons)

Oldpath05 · Jun 13, 2020

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Is the carb on your L3301 acting up again.............

Jstpssng · Jun 13, 2020

Oldpath05 said:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Is the carb on your L3301 acting up again.............

Yes, and I can't find the darned thing. All that I see is a bunch of lines and injectors, not a float or needle to be found.

dragoneggs · Jun 13, 2020

Jstpssng said:
Bringing this zombie thread back from the dead again. I have a couple of tractor carbs which need cleaning and this seems like a worthwhile investment. Are those of you with the HF (Central Machinery) units still happy with them? Is there a better product that I can buy for $79.99? (Before the coupons)

I have the HF $79 unit and did buy it with a 25% off coupon. Works great and enjoy using it. I usually use vinegar and cycle it a few times. Easy to clean too.

shaeff · Jun 13, 2020

My buddy has one, he uses Simple Green in it. I had him clean the carb on my LJ500 (11hp Wisconsin Robin motor). It was loaded with gunk.

The Simple Green kinda pickles the aluminum, but the dang thing was spotless when I got it back. The main jet was stuck in the carb, didn’t want to risk stripping it so I left it in place for the cleaning.

When I put it all back together it ran perfectly upon turning the key. I’m planning to get one, I take lots of dirty crap apart.