Ultrasonic Cleaning Weber Carburetors

[frankc]

Hello,

I'm rebuilding a set of Weber 40 IDFs, and I've read mixed opinions on whether cleaning the carb body in an ultrasonic cleaner is safe for the sealed bearings on the throttle shaft (note these are IDF, not IDA).

Do folks remove the bearing seals first and clean out the grease before placing the carbs in the ultrasonic, and then re-pack them with grease and re-install the seals afterwards? Or is it better to avoid submerging the bearings?

Thanks,
Frank

[mepstein]

An ultrasonic tank will often pop out the plugs in the body of the carbs.

[frankc]

Originally Posted by mepstein

An ultrasonic tank will often pop out the plugs in the body of the carbs.

When I was searching for information on this topic, I did read in some forum where someone reported some plugs were loose after ultrasonic cleaning. Then again, I've read about plugs falling out while people were just driving down the road - no ultrasonic cleaning involved.

I'll keep searching to see if I can find more on the plug issue, or ask around in some of the other forums. If it was a common problem, it seems like there would be more reports of it happening given the number of people/shops who use ultrasonic cleaners for carbs. Perhaps they always stake the plugs afterwards as a precautionary measure.

[mepstein]

We have a 20 gallon ultrasound tank and I can say for sure it happens.

[Dpmulvan]

What’s the big deal with the plugs, they should be removed anyway especially if the carbs are crusty.
You can replace them with .177 caliber pellets.

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

What’s the big deal with the plugs, they should be removed anyway especially if the carbs are crusty.
You can replace them with .177 caliber pellets.

Just caught the IDF part, not sure if the plugs are the same size as on IDA3c et but if they are pellets work fine.

[frankc]

@mepstein,
Thanks for confirming. If I end up going the ultrasonic route (likely), I'll definitely check the plugs afterwards.

When I got the car (recently), I noticed that the air filters were installed incorrectly by the PO. As a result, the Idle circuit was open to unfiltered air and is completely clogged on one carb. Gumout is not clearing it, hence the ultrasonic cleaner.

@Dpmulvan,
Good to know about using pellets for plugs. I'll measure the IDF plugs to see if they are the same size as the plugs on my IDAs.

[75 911s]

All these old carbs, the plugs have to be drilled out anyway to check those hidden passages for gunk. They are highly susceptible to being plugged.

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by frankc

@mepstein,
Thanks for confirming. If I end up going the ultrasonic route (likely), I'll definitely check the plugs afterwards.

When I got the car (recently), I noticed that the air filters were installed incorrectly by the PO. As a result, the Idle circuit was open to unfiltered air and is completely clogged on one carb. Gumout is not clearing it, hence the ultrasonic cleaner.

@Dpmulvan,
Good to know about using pellets for plugs. I'll measure the IDF plugs to see if they are the same size as the plugs on my IDAs.

Ultrasonic especially the cheap Chinese ones are not going to unplug the circuits, you’ll have to do it manually with tiny drill bits.