High Flash Point Solvent - Fuel Filter Cleaning


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Old 01-05-15, 09:23 AM
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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?
 
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Old 01-05-15, 09:32 AM
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Not brake cleaner as it's water based. Carb cleaner has a high flash point.
 
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Old 01-05-15, 12:28 PM
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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.
 
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Old 01-05-15, 12:40 PM
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Use Methyl Ethyl Keytone (MEK) Good solvent/cleaner with high flash point.
 
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Old 01-05-15, 02:01 PM
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So just dunk the filter for a few minutes then let it dry? Will MEK harm the plastic frame?
 
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Old 01-05-15, 02:02 PM
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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.
 
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Old 01-05-15, 03:37 PM
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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.
 
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Old 01-05-15, 06:51 PM
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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.
 
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Old 01-06-15, 03:37 AM
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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
 
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Old 01-06-15, 08:34 AM
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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.
It's not a typical fuel filter that sits in-line with the fuel hose, it's a fine cylindrical metal screen with plastic frame that sits in the bottom of the tank that attaches to the fuel valve. I'll just remove it and spray it with some carb cleaner like I did on my other bike.
 
 

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