Just curious who else is living super frugal

[tntchix]

OK, this is for those of us who are backyard mechanics: Back in the 60’s, Gunk had a carburetor bath that really worked. I remember putting a very dirty carburetor into this chemical, and the next day, it came out shinning like new metal. EPA must have had some influence, because today’s carburetor bath is, in my opinion, worthless. I have a carburetor from a small motor that was junked out in the weather for more than 5 years. Every moving part was frozen solid. None of the marketed carburetor cleaners worked. Repetitive applications of penetrating oil didn’t touch it. I complained about this to DW who remembered reading about a person who remembers his parents boiling dirty carburetors during the depression. Not having anything to lose, I put the carburetor in a large pot with soap (Dawn) and water and started boiling it. After two boiling sessions, the carburetor is fully functional! This carburetor also had a fuel shutoff solenoid that was frozen in the shut off position – yep after boiling, it now works perfectly! The carburetor is now back on the engine with its fuel shutoff solenoid and the motor starts and runs with no problems. All of the money I spent on carburetor baths and cleaners was wasted, and now I have a problem with where I am going to get rid of these chemicals. But with soap and water – no problem!
Also, a side note: The motor was also frozen, but putting Automatic transmission oil in the spark plug holes and letting it soak in for a few days, helps free the motor.

Well, dawn is petroleum based, so I figure since "grease cleans grease" by definition, yours is the perfect example.

I hate using it but, it is the only thing that works on our dirty stuff.

 

[DennisK]

Well, dawn is petroleum based, so I figure since "grease cleans grease" by definition, yours is the perfect example.

I hate using it but, it is the only thing that works on our dirty stuff.

I don't think that Dawn was around during the Great Depression; so I suspect just about any soap would work.

 

[NinjaRooster]

OK, this is for those of us who are backyard mechanics: Back in the 60’s, Gunk had a carburetor bath that really worked. I remember putting a very dirty carburetor into this chemical, and the next day, it came out shinning like new metal. EPA must have had some influence, because today’s carburetor bath is, in my opinion, worthless. I have a carburetor from a small motor that was junked out in the weather for more than 5 years. Every moving part was frozen solid. None of the marketed carburetor cleaners worked. Repetitive applications of penetrating oil didn’t touch it. I complained about this to DW who remembered reading about a person who remembers his parents boiling dirty carburetors during the depression. Not having anything to lose, I put the carburetor in a large pot with soap (Dawn) and water and started boiling it. After two boiling sessions, the carburetor is fully functional! This carburetor also had a fuel shutoff solenoid that was frozen in the shut off position – yep after boiling, it now works perfectly! The carburetor is now back on the engine with its fuel shutoff solenoid and the motor starts and runs with no problems. All of the money I spent on carburetor baths and cleaners was wasted, and now I have a problem with where I am going to get rid of these chemicals. But with soap and water – no problem!
Also, a side note: The motor was also frozen, but putting Automatic transmission oil in the spark plug holes and letting it soak in for a few days, helps free the motor.

Ooooh! I really ought to try that!

 

[jtbass2756]

100 Dollars a Month blog just posted a lemon marmalade recipe.

I also just saw a recipe for lemon syrup on Pinterest...to use in baking, drinks, etc

 

[dutchbunny83]

lemon marmalade sound amazing!
I wish we had lemon trees here, I spend a fortune on them
I use lemons for EVERYTHING

 

[MiWi]

You might want to look at growing some of the lemon flavored herbs. Lemon balm and lemon verbena come to mind. They wouldn't totally replace lemons but when you want just a little lemon flavor they are both really good. They also make nice herb teas.

 

[LindaB220]

You might want to look at growing some of the lemon flavored herbs. Lemon balm and lemon verbena come to mind. They wouldn't totally replace lemons but when you want just a little lemon flavor they are both really good. They also make nice herb teas.

What a nifty idea!!! I live in NW La and it's hot. I'm on the edge of 8b so I can grow lemons. I just have not done it. One step at a time.

 

[jtbass2756]

Living more and more frugal each month. But it would take a fortune to do something to get my soil to support a garden. Sandy ...sandy soil. We have 2 acres and basically cut the wire grass! Now I'm about to get a chicken coop finished out of recycled materials with the help of a friend. At our ages....we are where we are....!

 

[LindaB220]

Living more and more frugal each month. But it would take a fortune to do something to get my soil to support a garden. Sandy ...sandy soil. We have 2 acres and basically cut the wire grass! Now I'm about to get a chicken coop finished out of recycled materials with the help of a friend. At our ages....we are where we are....!

Look into cover crops. It will build up your soil.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Coop poop and compost will help also. Both can be free with just a little effort on your part. We have a gal at work who collects all the coffee grounds for her worm bed. Anything to get organics in the soil to help hold the moisture.