I've also heard of it being used as a "piston soak" to decoke the rings. Never tried that, but it seems to make sense.

It does work if you have rings that are not freeing off any other way, but you need to change the oil when you've finished.

I have used old brake fluid as a carburettor cleaner quite successfully.

Yes a lot of people have, but at the risk of damaging the seals/gaskets which on occasions happened causing either petrol leak or air leaks

I've used it on carbs I was stripping, so it was fairly easy to avoid gasket and diaphragm exposure.

For ""spray and pray" application I use stuff sold for that purpose, but I don't have much faith in it.

Doesn't touch the sludge you get here in a motorcycle carb that's stood for a while..

Re why old brake fluid?, cheapness and availability.

I keep it in a whisky bottle. Sniff before you drink.

I'd think fresh might work slightly better but the old stuff works well enough.

Brake fluid, that is, not whisky..

I have used old brake fluid as a carburettor cleaner quite successfully.

Yes a lot of people have, ,,,

Must confess I'm slightly disappointed by that news.

Never seen it recommended and thought I might have invented it, though of course its not really a giant leap from the engine decoking, which I've seen mentioned lots of times.

I suppose I got this impression partly from frequenting US-based forums,

Americans generally HAVE to spend money and don't like the idea of free improvisations,

Thanks for all of your help and comments peeps.

Have a Happy New Year.. :)

Thanks for all of your help and comments peeps.

Have a Happy New Year.. :)