High Flash Point Solvent - Fuel Filter Cleaning
#1
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High Flash Point Solvent - Fuel Filter Cleaning
The owner's manual for my 2007 CRF250X dirt bike says to use a high flash point solvent to clean the fuel filter. Would brake cleaner or carb cleaner suffice?
#3
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The MSDS I am looking at for a 3M aeresol carb cleaner says it is extremely flammable with a flashpoint of -50° F. Doesn't sound high at all . I think they say that for liability reasons. I'll go ahead and use some aeresol carb cleaner or maybe soak the filter in mineral spirits, which is considered high flash point.
#7
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The flashpoint of MEK is about 16[SUP]o[/SUP] F. Hardly what I would call high. I'm thinking they are probably referring to something like Stoddard Solvent which has a flashpoint of roughly 100[SUP]o[/SUP] F.
There are other solvents with higher flashpoints and even non-flammable solvents but they usually have really nasty vapors.
There are other solvents with higher flashpoints and even non-flammable solvents but they usually have really nasty vapors.
#8
16 degrees is slightly better than -40 degrees of gasoline, but, I think flash points may not be what we are looking at here. Antifreeze will flash at 110 degrees F. Maybe auto combustion rates or something like that. I agree with Woody, that most any harsh solvent will pith plastic, and should be avoided.
#9
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I'd start out with carb cleaner or lacquer thinner which is similar and step up to MEK if that didn't do the trick. [mostly because I always have them on hand] You do not want to soak plastic in any hot thinner for an extended period!! I don't know anything about flash points
#10
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If there is any plastic in the filter, MEK can turn it to mush. A new filter - which should last for years if you use clean gas - is about $ 12.00.