Melted Slide boots-how to clean out gunk?

[oldguygt550]

Hi guys,
I acquired a fairly good shape 1976 GT550 but the rubber boot protecting the carb slide rod has melted into the carb area. Just what do you guys use to clean it out with, so far I've tried carb cleaner (it barely makes a dent), Go-Jo seems to remove it from my hands but am looking for some type of spray to use while holding the carbs upside down so it just runs out.
I'm willing to try paint thinner, etc, but just don't want to waste money on something that won't do the job well.
Steve

[TLRam1]

Have no idea, Ether maybe??

[arne]

Well, I'd probably try a can of gasket remover, brake fluid, transmission fluid, or paint stripper depending upon what was closer to my hand at the time.

Before I did that though I'd get everything I could out with some dull tools.

Good luck - Arne

[jkevinlilly]

The only way was able to remove the melted rubber from mine last year was carb cleaner and elbow grease. And I had to completely disassemble the carbs to do the job right.

Kevin

[jkevinlilly]

oldguygt550

How are the carbs coming??

Kevin

[debby]

Mine are the same way. Funny how they just turn to goo. New ones are still available from Suzuki but I wonder how long they last?

I read a posting somewhere else where the guy made his own by cutting the tips off some rubber gloves and poking holes in the ends. Sounds like it could be worth a try

Debby and the Pathetic GTs

[advant63]

i use butyl bicycle tube with small zip ties. they don't seem to be affected by fuel but dry out after a couple of years. not concours, but functional.

[skydrol]

I know this is a year late but someone else might be looking for some info on this. After trying many different chemicals that seemed to have no effect on that melted rubber I noticed that when I washed my hands the lava soap I was using just took the goo right off of my hands. I tried it on the carbs and it worked great..only thing is they need to be taken apart to do it. I did find new ones online for $10 each..$30 is a little steep for a new set of little rubber boots. looking for alternatives right now, I kinda like the rubber glove idea.

[jsmith1981]

I just acquired a GT550M. I have not tried to start it yet because the boots were melted and I thought I better clean the carbs first. I was able to get the black goo off with paint stripper and I'm now in the process of re-assembling the carbs with new boots that I bought from suzukipartsnation.com. Which leads me to a question. I can see the need for the lower boots (keep crap out of the throttle slides), but I can't see any real use for the upper boots. It would be much easier to assemble the throttles and make adjustments without those upper boots being in the way. Does anybody know any reason why I should not go without the upper boots, other than it would not be 100% correct?