I got a can of Berryman's and a can of Napa carb dip that has to be at least 15 years old. I did not open it up yet but was wondering if it still may be effective? I want to use it on a steel tractor carb but one part had bushings ( have not cleaned them up enough yet) that may be brass that I would prefer to keep rather than replace / ream. Will a carb dip destroy them?
Carb dip questions
- Thread starter johninct
- Start date
As far as solvent capability there is nothing really in carburetor cleaner or Berryman's that would go bad. Should be fine to use.
I would have no qualms about using it on brass. Now would I leave it in there for hours? No. Treat it the same way you would Simple Green & aluminum.
I would have no qualms about using it on brass. Now would I leave it in there for hours? No. Treat it the same way you would Simple Green & aluminum.
I have used the "good" old original carb dip back in the '80s that would eat the solder out of the side of a coffee tin can. Caution is recommended on soft parts. Yours is most likely is still good. I now use a ultrasonic for this work. Way less smelly and works good, just not quite as aggressive on the softer metals. I have a cheap Harbor Freight (Princess Auto) type one, cleaned several motorcycle carbs without a problem.
bwringer
Well-known member
The cans aren't filled to the top in order to allow room for the parts. If you open it up and it's still somewhere around 2/3 full, then you haven't lost enough to worry about. (Of course, if it's been used, you always lose a little that sticks to the parts.)
Shake or stir before opening.
The dip won't hurt brass... I've dipped countless brass carb jets, emulsion tubes, etc.
Carb dip WILL eventually deteriorate the zinc alloy used in carbs if you leave the carb in the dip too long.
Shake or stir before opening.
The dip won't hurt brass... I've dipped countless brass carb jets, emulsion tubes, etc.
Carb dip WILL eventually deteriorate the zinc alloy used in carbs if you leave the carb in the dip too long.
robin1731
Well-known member
I rebuild 40-60 sets of motorcycle carburetors per year. I use the Berryman's carb dip only for the brass parts. Ultrasonic cleaner for everything else. I might leave brass in the carb dip for 2 or 3 days. Never an issue. The carb bodies I would not put in there. On some carbs you have felt seals around the throttle shaft which not hold up in the carb dip.
Smilodon
Well-known member
firebirdparts
Well-known member
It'll be extremely effective.
Good carb dip is corrosive and it'll eventually rust the can (probably).
Good carb dip is corrosive and it'll eventually rust the can (probably).
robin1731
Well-known member
I've used the same can, and the solvent that came in it, for at least 10 years. Probably more. It is in very good shape yet. 
robin1731
Well-known member
I only do bike carbs, just to be clear.Wow! Might hit you up if I have carb questions!
Smilodon
Well-known member
Yeah, I see the drag bike now in your profile icon, which goes a ways to explaining why you are doing so much bike carb work. Believe me, I was thinking bike carbs. Used to do more adjusting/jetting type work when (road) racing years ago, but still have some old Mikuni-equipped bikes that I get stumped on. Although, the amount of time I spend doing that stuff these days is tiny, that only makes parts and knowledge that much harder to find!
What is your recommended mix in your ultrasonic cleaner?
txvwnut
Well-known member
I can attest to this, walked out in the garage one day and got hit with the smell. Thought, **** I left the lid off. Nope the was still on, it was in a 5 gallon pail, notice I said was. After cleanup that was the cleanest I'd ever seen the garage floor. I now have a 30 gallon pickle drum that has a plastic liner with about 15 gallons in it. I don't know what type of plastic that liner is but its been holding up for about 15 years now.
mreisner
Well-known member
Dip cleaner is not what it used to be 20 or so years ago also. Back then it was basically liquid lye. Now it is more of a low ph solvent. It should still be fine however.
robin1731
Well-known member
I buy my stuff from goodson.com. Two cups of that then the rest distilled water. My tank holds about 3 gallons total.
RoninB4
Well-known member
-Pine-Sol for cheap, available, and non-toxic. I've mentioned this several times in other threads. Works great.