Leaking float chamber

[markmark2]

Hi all...again. For the last 3 yrs I have had trouble free motoring, but know it would seem my chickens are coming home to roost. Its one problem after another. This time its is leaking float chambers. First time carbs off, tighten all screws. Worked fine for a day. Next carbs off again, this time take float chamber apart and adjust float levels which were quite a way out. Worked for a couple of days and have to say cured the hot start problems that I have been having, but started leaking again. Carbs off again, this time I fit new float chamber gaskets. Started leaking 30 seconds after I started up. Any suggestions? Whats the opinion of now using gasket sealer. Any particular gasket sealer? I bought dirko sealer from paddocks a while back. Can this be used? Sealer on both surfaces with gasket in between. Any help would be really appreciated. Sick of taking carbs off!

Cheers

Mark

[mike@thenook]

Might seem a daft question but have you tightened the screws diagonally? In other words like doing up wheel nuts so that you do up one and next the diagonally opposite nut and so on
this ensures there is even pressure as you tighten. If you're using the old gaskets you certainly will need some cement but frankly I'd used new ones. Also, check the plug in the bottom of each carb, there's an o ring on each which can sometimes perish and leak.
hope this helps

Mike

[markmark2]

Thanks for the advice mike. Will take off again tomorrow. They were new gaskets.

cheers

mark

[DJT]

Check the new gaskets. Some are badly cut and obstruct the float.

[milothedog]

Hi all...again. For the last 3 yrs I have had trouble free motoring, but know it would seem my chickens are coming home to roost. Its one problem after another. This time its is leaking float chambers. First time carbs off, tighten all screws. Worked fine for a day. Next carbs off again, this time take float chamber apart and adjust float levels which were quite a way out. Worked for a couple of days and have to say cured the hot start problems that I have been having, but started leaking again. Carbs off again, this time I fit new float chamber gaskets. Started leaking 30 seconds after I started up. Any suggestions? Whats the opinion of now using gasket sealer. Any particular gasket sealer? I bought dirko sealer from paddocks a while back. Can this be used? Sealer on both surfaces with gasket in between. Any help would be really appreciated. Sick of taking carbs off!

Cheers

Mark

Are you sure it's the gasket leaking. if the needle valve is failing and the fuel level is becoming too high fuel can leak out of the cold start valve if it has a bit of wear on the R/H carb, run around the top edge of the float chamber and look like it's the gasket leaking.

I would advise against using any sealant for 2 reasons, a, it may find it's was in to the carb. And b, if it fails and leaks again, say on a long run, you could potentially have fuel leaking over a hot engine?

Ian.

[markmark2]

Are you sure it's the gasket leaking. if the needle valve is failing and the fuel level is becoming too high fuel can leak out of the cold start valve if it has a bit of wear on the R/H carb, run around the top edge of the float chamber and look like it's the gasket leaking.

I would advise against using any sealant for 2 reasons, a, it may find it's was in to the carb. And b, if it fails and leaks again, say on a long run, you could potentially have fuel leaking over a hot engine?


Ian.

hi ian, you could be onto something here. the r/h I assume is standing in front if the car? why is it the right hand side leaks? there is fuel on top of the gasket. would it be prudent to replace both needles? do I need to change anything else along with the needles?

thanks again

mark

[markmark2]

Are you sure it's the gasket leaking. if the needle valve is failing and the fuel level is becoming too high fuel can leak out of the cold start valve if it has a bit of wear on the R/H carb, run around the top edge of the float chamber and look like it's the gasket leaking.

I would advise against using any sealant for 2 reasons, a, it may find it's was in to the carb. And b, if it fails and leaks again, say on a long run, you could potentially have fuel leaking over a hot engine?

Ian.

Originally Posted by milothedog
Are you sure it's the gasket leaking. if the needle valve is failing and the fuel level is becoming too high fuel can leak out of the cold start valve if it has a bit of wear on the R/H carb, run around the top edge of the float chamber and look like it's the gasket leaking.

I would advise against using any sealant for 2 reasons, a, it may find it's was in to the carb. And b, if it fails and leaks again, say on a long run, you could potentially have fuel leaking over a hot engine?


Ian.
hi ian, you could be onto something here. the r/h I assume is standing in front if the car? why is it the right hand side leaks? there is fuel on top of the gasket. would it be prudent to replace both needles? do I need to change anything else along with the needles?

thanks again

mark

[DJT]

hi ian, you could be onto something here. the r/h I assume is standing in front if the car? why is it the right hand side leaks? there is fuel on top of the gasket. would it be prudent to replace both needles? do I need to change anything else along with the needles?

thanks again

mark

Mark,

R/H usually refers to the R/H as viewed from the driver's seat. If you look at the front of each cylinder head they have RH and LH cast into them as a guide.....

[Bandit1200]

Mark
It's possible to fit the float chamber gaskets incorrectly thereby fouling the needle valve.
Guess how I know this.
Steve

[milothedog]

hi ian, you could be onto something here. the r/h I assume is standing in front if the car? why is it the right hand side leaks? there is fuel on top of the gasket. would it be prudent to replace both needles? do I need to change anything else along with the needles?

thanks again

mark

Mark, as Dave said the R/H carb is viewed as sitting in the drivers seat. Renew both Needle valve and reset the float heights as described in the ROM. I assume you have the vent pipes still connected Do you have any fuel dripping from the pipe that runs down the front of the engine

[markmark2]

Hi Ian, there is no fuel dripping from the overflow. I have taken the float chambers off again and noticed that there is a tiny ridge that runs around the top of the actual chamber. It would seem to me that the gasket sits over the ridge so when you tighten down, how can it seal? Unless the ridge sort of cuts into the gasket to make the seal. Maybe the original seals were cut more accurately and fitted either inside or outside the ridge. I have now ordered new gaskets, O-rings, needle valves, diaphragms and needles. Am I fitting gaskets wrong? What is the ridge for? Help!!
Thank you all for your patience.

Cheers

Mark

[milothedog]

Hi Ian, there is no fuel dripping from the overflow. I have taken the float chambers off again and noticed that there is a tiny ridge that runs around the top of the actual chamber. It would seem to me that the gasket sits over the ridge so when you tighten down, how can it seal? Unless the ridge sort of cuts into the gasket to make the seal. Maybe the original seals were cut more accurately and fitted either inside or outside the ridge. I have now ordered new gaskets, O-rings, needle valves, diaphragms and needles. Am I fitting gaskets wrong? What is the ridge for? Help!!
Thank you all for your patience.

Cheers

Mark

Have a look here. http://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/techn...bsI/CarbsI.htm It will tell you all you need to Know. The ridge you talk about is normal.

15.jpg

Ian.