[ToyotaRIMD]

Thanks for replies to my posting.

I have 1999 Camry 5SFE, 2.2 (4CYL). I posted a issue

Does this happen as shop fill oil above FULL level?

So I was cleaning my car items over the weekend and came across my assortment of chemical sprays - specifically carb cleaner and throttle body cleaner which caught my eye.

I read some old threads in this forum that suggest to clean the OIL in spark plug well using break cleaner.

Is it possible to substitute it with either carb or TB cleaner for Break Cleaner?

What difference will it make?

Comment and recommendation would be greatly appreciated. thank you.

 

[camxv20]

shouldn't matter,use what u got,spray away

 

[z27ls3]

just make sure to wipe it all clean with a shop rag or paper towels.

 

[M70]

I assume you mean BRAKE cleaner.

 

[ToyotaRIMD]

Thanks for asking, Yes. BRAKE Cleaner. Do yo have a different suggestions?

 

[JohnGD]

Yes, for cleaning spark plug tube well, brake cleaner will work great.

But for their primary applications, no, don't use carb or throttle body cleaner as brake cleaner or vise versa. The car and throttle body cleaner has a lubricant, which you don't want in a brake cleaner. And for throttle bodies, also use only throttle body cleaner or a carb/throttle body cleaner safe for it. Because many throttles have a anti-buildup coating. Other cleaners can strip it off.

 

[ToyotaRIMD]

Thanks for sharing. I did check Brake Cleaner. I find some in walmart brands. I find some brake cleaner as Non-Chlorinated.

Will it work?

Which one is to pick?

If not , suggest another one. I do not want large can. I am looking to use only for this cleaning spark plug well and valve cover outer area.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[pgh mike]

Just for cleanup I would just get the cheapest one they have. And get the non chlorinated, lot easier on your lungs and skin!

 

[speedy25]

Brake cleaner- Used on parts to remove oils.

Carb cleaner- Used on parts that see fuel and are able to remove varnish left over by evaporation of those fuels.

To put it mildly, the non-chlorinated products suck and dont clean very well. They might have come up with some better formulas, but I have experienced them lately. If the ingredients list begins with water or alcohol, I put it right back on the shelf.

I use the CRC product in the red can for brake cleaning. I dont need a fast drying product so I can be sure all the oil has been dissolved.

Berryman's carb cleaner in a spray can is very good, but for some reason is hard to find. I was getting it cheap by the case form <gasp> wally world, but recently found my local NAPA sore stocks it.

Some of the rest of you can chime in with product you find actually works.

-SP

 

[insightbrewery]

Brake cleaner- Used on parts to remove oils.

Carb cleaner- Used on parts that see fuel and are able to remove varnish left over by evaporation of those fuels.

To put it mildly, the non-chlorinated products suck and dont clean very well. They might have come up with some better formulas, but I have experienced them lately. If the ingredients list begins with water or alcohol, I put it right back on the shelf.

I use the CRC product in the red can for brake cleaning. I dont need a fast drying product so I can be sure all the oil has been dissolved.

Berryman's carb cleaner in a spray can is very good, but for some reason is hard to find. I was getting it cheap by the case form <gasp> wally world, but recently found my local NAPA sore stocks it.

Some of the rest of you can chime in with product you find actually works.

-SP

I've come to hate:

- Autozone's store brand CA-spec (non-chlorinated, canned acetone) brake cleaner (their's has water in it! WTH. Also runs out of propellant rather quickly, I'm spraying straight up, leaves half full acetone that you can't use anymore)
- Gunk CA-spec brake cleaner (varies wildly, some cans work well, others run out of propellant quickly)
- CRC Brakleen (used to be good, then started acting like AZ and Gunk, see above. Also doesn't seem to have as much acetone in it)

Best I've ever used (CA-spec) is Johnsen's. Come to think of it, I've never had a Johnsen's canned product that has let me down...recently found the 13 oz cans of brake cleaner through special order at Winchester Auto. $2.50/can regular price! The AZ, Gunk, and CRC go to $3.50 ON SALE.

TL;DR: If you live in California, Johnsen's.

 

[mcgowaw]

i still use wallyworld's crc in the red can. i use many of their products actually, including oil, filters, etc.
they did recently switch to a more enviro friendly version and it don't work as good. the tech brand in the blue can i believe still has the cfc's and seems to work better but hard to find sometimes. i think they're trying to outlaw it like they do everything that actually works.
tony

 

[JohnGD]

Some work better than others. I just use the cheapest.

 

[ToyotaRIMD]

Thanks for your replies. I did check with AZ in Maryland. I find Brake Cleaner & Carburetor cleaner shows same ingredients with same %.

Carburetor cleaner is half the price of Brake Cleaner.

Advance auto parts has Wearever brake parts cleaner on sale. It is from CRC (CRC Industries, Inc, www.crcindustries.com).

Any ideas on these ones?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[JohnGD]

How about this: $2.04

Don't spray rubber parts with these cleaners. They'll damage them (dry them out). Or use an old rag/sock soaked with some alcohol and a long screwdriver to clean inside the tubes.

 

[pgh mike]

Carb cleaner and brake cleaner virtually same product. But, throttle body cleaner is different. Some TB's have a coating (almost like a nonstick pan) that reduces friction and helps prevent buildup on certain parts, and throttle body cleaner is formulated to remove the buildup without stripping those coatings. Carb/ brake clean will remove buildup and the coating, resulting in quicker buildup.

 

[heartdisease]

As John mentioned above in his comment. They are different products for different purposes as he said. I use brake cleaner on greasy, dirty tools as well. We use it by the case full at work as well. My personal use I like the CRC and Berrymans. But will use whatever I happen to have around.