Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Discussion Topics > Fuel System

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 99.192.78.91
Old 08-16-2018, 08:59 AM
irtrimble irtrimble is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 31
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post
float needle sticking

engine will start for a few seconds, die, and then not restart. I have carburetor apart, and needle valve seems to be sticking in closed position and not dropping down with gravity. Could this be problem? Any ideas?
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 32.211.28.40
Old 08-16-2018, 05:39 PM
Al Schober's Avatar
Al Schober Al Schober is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Uncasville, CT
Posts: 2,002
Thanks: 16
Thanked 578 Times in 405 Posts
Float valve not opening is definitely a problem - no fuel flow.
First is to try cleaning it. Carb cleaner and compressed air is your friend.
If you look at the needle, you'll see that it has a rubber tip. This should be a smooth cone. With age and wear, they do develop a ring depression which could be hanging up. You might need a magnifying glass to get a good look.
Last recourse is to install a new needle, which comes with new seat. Not expensive.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Al Schober For This Useful Post:
Dave Neptune (08-16-2018)
  #3   IP: 71.222.3.150
Old 08-16-2018, 06:46 PM
roadnsky's Avatar
roadnsky roadnsky is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Lake Mead, NV
Posts: 3,104
Thanks: 24
Thanked 467 Times in 309 Posts
Here are some pics to go along with Al's advice.

Also, here is a cut-n-paste of our resident carb expert (Dave Neptune) on setting the float level.
(Hope you don't mind Dave? )

"When adjusting the float, err to the high side of the setting, which is a lower fuel level.

Hold the top half of the carb upside down with no gasket and the float installed, check the height with a scale (good ruler).
The factory setting is 1 5/32" to the bottom of the float, which is on top and resting against the needle which is resting on the seat.

Two things of import here...
1- Be sure the bottom of the float is parallel with the body (this controls the closing position of the float accurately) of the carb, or as close as possible.
2- When tweaking the tabs use a pair of needle nose or duckbill pliers.
DO NOT PUSH, PULL OR BEND the tabs by holding the float itself. Only hold the brass tabs.
Now you can bend the larger portion that attaches to the float for the parallel adjustment and the little tab that rests on the seat for the height.
This can be a bit frustrating so go slow and easy. I suggest that if anything, you set the float a bit HIGH @ 1 3/16~1 5/32.
These adjustments are important to control the emulsion wells that mix air into the fuel to break it up! The factory adjustment specs are 1 5/32 +/_ 1/32" which is why you need it to be as parallel as possible. I run mine at 1 7/32 and like the way it performs."
Attached Images
    
__________________
-Jerry

'Lone Ranger'

1978 RANGER 30
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to roadnsky For This Useful Post:
Administrator (08-17-2018)
  #4   IP: 32.211.28.40
Old 08-16-2018, 07:48 PM
Al Schober's Avatar
Al Schober Al Schober is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Uncasville, CT
Posts: 2,002
Thanks: 16
Thanked 578 Times in 405 Posts
Great photos, road!
My carbs have a little spring thing that keeps the needle from escaping.
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 99.192.78.91
Old 08-17-2018, 10:07 AM
irtrimble irtrimble is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 31
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post
Thanks. Rubber tip of needle looked OK. I tried to clean the seat; a golf tee seemed about the right size. At any rate, when I reinstalled the carburetor, engine ran smoothly with apparent good fuel supply. If it happens again, I'll try the whack it with a hammer trick first.
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 207.118.20.35
Old 08-19-2018, 11:12 AM
capnward's Avatar
capnward capnward is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Deer Harbor WA
Posts: 335
Thanks: 41
Thanked 147 Times in 107 Posts
Cleaning the seat is the usual fix. The question remains, why did the needle stick? I think if you use MMO in your gas, this is less likely to happen. I also think ethanol softens the rubber, but I have no scientific evidence for that.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
float valve needle? sailhog Fuel System 54 01-12-2018 09:18 AM
Float Valve needle source seapadrik Fuel System 16 08-08-2013 05:00 PM
Carburetor float adjustment COB Fuel System 9 08-08-2012 11:16 AM
Float valve needle and seat aaaaahab General Maintenance 4 05-19-2012 10:32 AM
Stuck float valve? Misaligned float? CalebD Troubleshooting 10 06-09-2010 01:57 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:38 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.


Universal® is a registered trademark of Westerbeke Corporation

Copyright © 2004-2024 Moyer Marine Inc.

All Rights Reserved