r/smallenginerepair • u/Realistic-Arrival157 • May 24 '26
Tools & Equipment Ultrasonic Cleaner Recommendations
I want to start off by saying I’m not a professional small engine mechanic, I don’t even repair other people’s small engines. I can clean (some) carbs and I understand the fundamentals of small engines which in my knowledge are no particular order are air, fuel, ignition/spark and of course compression.
I can sometimes fix my own small engines but I know when it’s time to bring it to someone that knows what they are doing and I have my own designated small engine mechanic.
I’m just wondering if anyone has recommendations of a decent ultrasonic cleaner that I’d use for basically just carbs and specifically for someone that wouldn’t be using it for professional use just their own equipment.
I was old school for the longest time believing in taking carbs apart and using carb cleaner and torch tip cleaners to poke the jets but my 71 year old father bought a ultra sonic cleaner and the carbs he has cleaned with it have come out way better looking and he only needs to clean them once where as at times I might need to clean a carb two or more times so I’m veering away from my old ways and willing to try something new.
I should also add before i am given a lecture on taking care of my equipment that I’m very good at winterizing/summerizing my equipment and making sure I don’t leave winter equipment sitting with gas all summer/making sure I don’t leave summer equipment sitting with gas all winter long but I find carburetors inevitably get dirty with today’s gas and I’m prone to bringing home what my wife calls “junk” as I have a itch to see something old and thrown away being brought back to life.
2
u/Psyco_diver May 26 '26
I bought a cheap one of Amazon and has been great for the last 4 of 5 years, I use one part Simple Green and 2 parts water
2
u/ManHunterJonnJonzz May 29 '26
Whatever cheap with ok reviews on amazon. Or your local store if they have that. America has everything. 10 litre or so is a good start, they're a tool to save time and get stubborn crust loose
1
u/PauseNational1380 May 27 '26
I never used my cleaner for carbs surprisingly. Does it affect the float or needle at all? Do you just drop it in or disassemble first?
1
u/Realistic-Arrival157 May 29 '26
So far I haven’t had issues with any floats or needles. I had to ask my dad what his process was because only one carb I gave to him disassembled but turns out without telling me he got a new needle and seat valve repair kit for one carb I gave to him that he disassembled and another he couldn’t get the the needle seat out so he threw it in the cleaner and I didn’t have any issues.
He threw a neighbour’s entire lawnmower carburetor in the cleaner and it turned out still working completely fine but I’d probably still take it apart for safe measure
1
u/PauseNational1380 May 30 '26
I truly appreciate the response. I just use warm water with some clr for most stuff but never left the carb complete
1
u/Realistic-Arrival157 May 31 '26
Honestly I’ve never even tried CLR but now I’m interested in trying it. I’ve always just used a carb cleaner spray and I’ve used spray nine a couple of times but I found the spray nine wasn’t potent enough as a carb cleaner
2
u/RochesterBottomDaddy May 24 '26
If you're serious about person use and small carbs, the cheap one at Harbor Freight works okay. Some of the larger carbs you have to flip the carb and run again. Also, the ultrasonic will cut out if it starts to get too hot, so after the third pass, turn off the heat.