40 replies to this topic

[claysummers]

What about tying a bit of fishing line to a round bead, blow it through to the other end and tie a small bit of rag or something to it?
Kind of like cleaning out a chimney flue
Might be tricky with a longer line, though

that’s clever Bruce. I would’ve just fed some mig wire and pull rag through.


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[claysummers]

Molasses and citric acid both work by chelating the iron, 2hich essentially suspends it in a gel bit like truck wash. The active ingredient gets used up in the emulsion and byproducts I would say. Havin said, I tend to re use it with decreasing effectiveness over months. This is in 40-100 litre batches.


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[dattoman]

how long does a molasses mixture last?

so ive got a bucket of vinegar that that i drop rusty bits in.

molasses looks alot more gentle on coatings 

if i filled up another bucket with molasses mix, how long would it last? 

 

 

You can stir it up a bit and keep using it

 

But it stinks !!!

It gets moldy and smells feral

[FLY_LX]

thanks, clay & datto,

handy to know.

[LXCHEV]

Bruce - your fishing line idea is fantastic!

 

Leveraging that idea, this week I created special tool # 304-01 - the internal pipe cleaner...

 

I cut out an appropriate size piece of scotch brite and then threaded some fishing line right through the middle, before tying a knot either side to hold it in place:

 

 Special Tool 304-01.jpg   57.96K   1 downloads

 

I then proceeded to pull this backwards and forwards through the pipe. I thought it might break straight away as it looks quite flimsy, but was pleasantly surprised at just how well it held up. I could hear it scuffing the pipe (it actually made some pretty weird musical noises - I may have invented a new instrument).

 

 Special Tool 304-02.jpg   66.08K   2 downloads

 

Prior to this I had flushed the pipe several times and thought it was looking really clean, but you should have seen how much brown filth came out after scrubbing. Definitely proves the theory that physical scrubbing is so important.

 

 Special Tool 304-03.jpg   190.17K   1 downloads

 

It did eventually break after a dozen or so pull-throughs, so I quickly made another, flushed the pipe and repeated.... and for good measure squirted some throttle body/carby cleaner in there to keep it well nourished. Another flush and now I'm seeing bright shiny steel inside once again.

 

It's back in the molasses bath now for one final time. Then I'll give it a final scuff and be done with it.

 

So coming back to the main fuel lines on the car - I tried pushing fishing line through, but only got half way along before it just wouldn't continue any more. I think I need something slightly stiffer. I reckon the MIG wire idea could be the go here.

 

[LXCHEV]

Quite a while back, I'd also made another very special, high-tech tool # 304-00 - the fuel rail scrubber...

 

I had a feral old set of rails off the neglected 5L:

 

 Rail Resto 1.jpg   177.41K   2 downloads

 

At least being aluminium, rust and pitting isn't a concern, only cleaning off the coating of filth...

 

 Rail Resto 2.jpg   60.02K   2 downloads

 

 Rail Resto 3.jpg   75.88K   2 downloads

 

You can see special tool here - an old coat hanger with scotch brite hot glued onto the end... and again - worked an absolute treat!!

 

 Rail Resto 4.jpg   188.76K   2 downloads

[Indy Orange]

What about a pipe cleaner and fishing line.https://www.australi...leaners-44-pack

Edited by Indy Orange, 20 June 2023 - 11:22 PM.

[Indy Orange]

A metal guitar string may work also.

[Bruiser]

Good news, I am glad it worked for you. Are there any tightish radiuses bends in the long main fuel line?
Occasionally while pulling cables through wall cavities I have had them hook up, and then not want to come back either
caught like a Chinese finger trap.
It’s giving me the anxious yips thinking you could end up with a piece of something snagging up halfway down your line
and not be able to get it out again.

 AF7D13AB-7286-4C5B-A9C4-AC38DC750737.png   33.67K   1 downloads

Went looking for something like these, but with metal loops at both ends, but can’t see any
What about using some magic fishing knot which has a shrinking loop
that gets smaller as you pull, so the line is continuous and can’t tear out of the scourer pad?
A dab of glue on the knot?

[dattoman]

Barrel cleaners/oilers from the gun shop ?

[LXCHEV]

All great ideas, cheers.

 

I'm extremely wary about pulling anything through the main lines, for fear of breaking or getting stuck, just as Bruce said. I don't believe there are any super crazy tight bends in the lines, but there's enough general bends to make it plenty tricky.

 

Whilst I continue pondering the options - I've been blowing carby cleaner through those lines with compressed air. Each day I'll give it another dose.

[Rockoz]

Get some brickies string line, tie a few knots in it then place inside pipe, and get the pipe end in the vacuum cleaner to suck the string through.

 

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[Bruiser]

That’s a good idea
Does carby cleaner dissolve nylon fishing line?

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Do a test in a small container first.

[LXCHEV]

I called time on the molasses bath and removed the fuel pipe for the final time. Flushed with water, then ran my scotch brite scrubber through it again, but this time, not a hint of anything dirty. Very happy with this now - a fantastic transformation.....

 

BEFORE:

 

 VR Rear Fuel Pipe Dirty.jpg   56.78K   1 downloads

 

AFTER:

 

 VR Rear Fuel Pipe Clean.jpg   56.88K   1 downloads

[rexy]

Very nice.