just a quicky (stepper motor)

[vodkakid]

can you clean it with petrol (its all i got handy) or should i really just use white spirit?

[zippy500]

Petrol will be ok. Its only carbon buildup.

>> Edited by zippy500 on Thursday 20th March 11:27

[hut49]

I tried both petrol and white spirit (separately, just in case there's any explosives experts listening in) but neither shifted the build-up. I even left the offending part of the stepper motor standing in white spirit overnight and still it didn't budge - I even tried scraping it off with a piece of wood - judiciously - without success. There was a well defined reddy-brown ridge and I had two choices. Go and buy a new one or improvise first. I tried some Wet&Dry. I used a very fine grade and after a period of gently rotating the stepper motor in between two sheets, the ridge gradually disappeared without and damage to the metal itself.

Probably not ideal but it did the job - if you do try this avoid scratching the metal surface. Oh, and don't forget to put the washer back on before you screw the stepper in. Doh!

The engine had 8000 miles on super unleaded before I got it and started using Optimax - I'm hoping it won't need this treatment anytime again soon.

Hutch

[plipton]

I used white spirit - didn't really work

Tried petrol - same

Ended up using brasso on the tip (oo-er) and a toothbrush and white sprit to clean the shaft/spring.

That was 6 month ago - needs doing again. D'oh !!

[K3NJW]

When I was very young and ran two stroke bikes, the exhausts would coke up with carbon deposits and we used to fill them with a caustic soda mix that dissolved the carbon ..... blowed if I can remember what the mix was, but it's simple O Level chemistry so someone's 15 year old child should know.

[.Mark]

K3NJW said: When I was very young and ran two stroke bikes, the exhausts would coke up with carbon deposits and we used to fill them with a caustic soda mix that dissolved the carbon ..... blowed if I can remember what the mix was, but it's simple O Level chemistry so someone's 15 year old child should know.

Yep me too. As I remember the mix was a couple of handfull of Caustic, chuck it in some water and stand well back for a bit! Did the trick on the carbon though.
Anyway the way to mix it should be on the tin, I think you add water to it rather than the other way around. Disclaimers galore here!

Edited to add disclaimers, I can't afford a law-suit.

>> Edited by .Mark on Thursday 20th March 17:16

[lavingp]

can you clean it with petrol (its all i got handy) or should i really just use white spirit?

Get a can of carburettor cleaner from Halfords.
Paul.