Lack of use strikes again.

[Stevekid1]

Have not starte or driven the stag for nearly two months but today the sun is shining so I thought i would take it for a run in readyness for the essex area frost bite run next weekend. Started up no problem but then I could smell petrol. Lifted the bonnet and theres petrol spewing out of the nearside carb. Having dried and cleaned it I can see the petrol coming out of the lower join gaskit of what I assume is the float chamber. Bang goes using it next week, I dont have a clue about carbs and will prbably bugger them up completely trying to deal with it.

Another job on the to do list. Must remember to use it more often in the future.

[Andrew S]

Hi Steve. This is an easy job providing we know what it is.
Are you sure it leaking from the gasket rather than from a pipe and running down? It could also be a rubber O ring that is underneath the float chamber. I am surprised that the gasket would leak if all OK before when in use. You could always go for a drive and get the recovery people to do it for you .

[Staggard]

Have not starte or driven the stag for nearly two months but today the sun is shining so I thought i would take it for a run in readyness for the essex area frost bite run next weekend. Started up no problem but then I could smell petrol. Lifted the bonnet and theres petrol spewing out of the nearside carb. Having dried and cleaned it I can see the petrol coming out of the lower join gaskit of what I assume is the float chamber. Bang goes using it next week, I dont have a clue about carbs and will prbably bugger them up completely trying to deal with it.

Another job on the to do list. Must remember to use it more often in the future.

Hi Steve, you can try (before pulling it apart) pulling up the plunger on the fuel cut out run the engine to empty the chambers reset the cut out turn the ignition back on and gently tap the offending chamber, this can flush the needle seat and I've known a little tap to help reseat the needle Graham

[Stevekid1]

Hi Andrew,

I dont think its leaking from any of the pipes. I can definately see it leaking out of the gaskit although in the space of a couple of minutes petrol filled the V area so will have another look.

Steve

[Stevekid1]

Hi Graham,

I will give this ago in the morning just before I start stripping it down. Thanks for the tip.

Steve

[Andrew S]

Steve
Remember, you don't need to take off too much to get to the gaskets and the whole assembly lifts up as soon as you undo the 9/16 nut in the middle of the carbs. The only agro sometimes is that the large O ring between the carbs and the inlet manifold but the secret is to put it in the freezer for a few hours and it goes back to its original size and can be refitted.

If you get stuck, Jason is just round the corner and would know what to do and maybe able to help you

[Stevekid1]

Panic over, could not wait and went and gave Graham's suggestion a go and it worked. Guess it was a sticking needle so will take it as a warning to do a basic rebuild as soon as. Cheers Graham.

[Andrew S]

Excellent news and well done all. So, use it all week so it wont sulk for the Frostbite Run

[Moraystag]

Steve just a thought but if it has been the needle sticking it may have sucked up some sh*te from the tank. I know that your fuel filter should catch this, but after fitting newly refurbed carbs a few weeks ago I had fuel spewing out of the overflow. I ended up removing them and removing the float bowel and cleaning the needle valve, although it was brand new. Once the float bowl was removed I found sludge / particles and believe it or not a very small piece of paper which looked like the little round bit you get from a paper hole punch. God know's where it came from, but I assume I had picked the crap up somewhere along the line, maybe from the fuel pipes during dismantling and assembly .
Re-assembled the needle valve and carb bowl. Also I changed the fuel filter just incase and have had no more fuel overflow, one of the guys on here mentioned the fuel filter.
Just a thought and dead easy to change
Mike