Cleaning TBI units? What are the best solvents? (Page 1/1)
82-T/A [At Work] NOV 07, 12:09 PM
Hey guys, this is actually a question about my 84 Corvette with the CFI TBIs... but it directly applies to our 2.5 Fiero TBI unit simply because they are the exact same units... the Corvette just has two of them.

What is the best way to clean these TBI units? There's largely two major pieces, the injector arm, and the throttle body base. When my daughter rebuilt the one in her 85 Fiero, it was actually not that bad, just covered in soot. But the underside had so much carbon build-up on it, that we had to scrape it with a screw driver.

I know CARB & PARTS CLEANER is probably the quickest and easiest, but is there anything that I can soak them in overnight that won't damage them, since they're made of aluminum?

I left a Fiero intake in a bucket of degreaser, and it had started pitting... the aluminum was being eaten by the degreaser. So I don't want to do that again with these TBI units.


Any thoughts?

I have two complete rebuild kits to do both Rochester 400 TBI units.
Thanks!!!
Raydar NOV 07, 06:50 PM
When I did the one on my 2.8, I'm pretty sure I used BrakeKleen (or however it's spelled.) in the red and white can.
Be sure to remove the TPS and IAC. Probably the regulator and injector, too. They may not like the solvent.
(Did you know there's a passage in the 2.8 throttle body that loops around? If you use the BrakeKleen just right, you can squirt yourself right in the eye. Don't ask me how I know this. )
Think I used a fine wire brush to knock the crud and carbon off, once I regained my vision.

Mean Green is some wicked stuff, that I have also used. Will dissolve most anything, but will also oxidize bare aluminum. Be careful with it.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-07-2024).]

82-T/A [At Work] NOV 08, 10:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by Raydar:

When I did the one on my 2.8, I'm pretty sure I used BrakeKleen (or however it's spelled.) in the red and white can.
Be sure to remove the TPS and IAC. Probably the regulator and injector, too. They may not like the solvent.
(Did you know there's a passage in the 2.8 throttle body that loops around? If you use the BrakeKleen just right, you can squirt yourself right in the eye. Don't ask me how I know this. )
Think I used a fine wire brush to knock the crud and carbon off, once I regained my vision.

Mean Green is some wicked stuff, that I have also used. Will dissolve most anything, but will also oxidize bare aluminum. Be careful with it.





Haha... I've come pretty close to doing that... but roger... I'll use carb cleaner. I have the Brake Kleen stuff too. I was hoping I could be lazy and soak it in something, but that doesn't seem to be an option.