bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

brtc · Nov 23, 2012

I cant get my bulb to stay hard before fuel ends up coming out my vent hole on the top of my carb. I tried taking it apart and seeing what the problem was. Does anybody have information on how to properly seat the needle?

HighTrim · Nov 23, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

You have it, the needle is not seating.

This is due to either debris in the seat, worn needle/seat, improper float setting, float no longer floating

What motor are we taking about here.

brtc · Nov 23, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

HighTrim said:
You have it, the needle is not seating.

This is due to either debris in the seat, worn needle/seat, improper float setting, float no longer floating

What motor are we taking about here.

Thanks for the help. It is a 69 johnson 9.5. My float is worn, the needle looks good and I cleaned the valve port, but I'm going to get a new kit and rebuild it, Thank you. One more question. Regaurdless of the needle being good or bad, can fuel be forced out the vent from squeezing the primer to hard. I'm just curious if i might be "overpriming" or if that's at all possible. Thanks again.

HighTrim · Nov 23, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

Well, if the needle isnt "seating" properly, then yes you can get fuel out of the vent hole. If it is seating properly, it will never get to it.

That being said, you dont want to squeeze the stuffing out of that primer bulb, lol. A few light squeezes until you feel the needle seat is all that is required.

brtc · Nov 23, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

HighTrim said:
Well, if the needle isnt "seating" properly, then yes you can get fuel out of the vent hole. If it is seating properly, it will never get to it.

That being said, you dont want to squeeze the stuffing out of that primer bulb, lol. A few light squeezes until you feel the needle seat is all that is required.

Great, thanks for the help. I'll rebuilt it then.

wanty9999 · Nov 27, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

i just rebuilt mine, and am having this problem (48 rude). So if i need to prevent this flooding should i bend the float tab so that the float is no longer parallel to the gasket, and actually a little outwards?

tips appreciated.

HighTrim · Nov 27, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

I set all my floats so that the unhinged end is just slightly higher than the hinged side. Ensures the needle seats when the bowl is full.

You may also have debris in the seat, preventing the needle from seating properly.

tomhath · Nov 28, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

wanty9999 said:
So if i need to prevent this flooding should i bend the float tab so that the float is no longer parallel to the gasket, and actually a little outwards?

It should seal with the float at the specified height. The first thing I'd try is to take the bowl off the carb and hold the float up while you squeeze the bulb. If any gas dribbles down your finger then no float adjustment will make it seal. The needle or seat might have some dirt that's preventing it from sealing. Soak for a couple of days in lacquer thinner and carefully clean it out with a toothpick and inspect for damage; someone might have tried to unplug it with a piece of wire and damaged it. Also make sure you have the float right side up, it's easy to put in upside down (trust me on that).

wanty9999 · Nov 28, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

tomhath said:
It should seal with the float at the specified height. The first thing I'd try is to take the bowl off the carb and hold the float up while you squeeze the bulb. If any gas dribbles down your finger then no float adjustment will make it seal. The needle or seat might have some dirt that's preventing it from sealing. Soak for a couple of days in lacquer thinner and carefully clean it out with a toothpick and inspect for damage; someone might have tried to unplug it with a piece of wire and damaged it. Also make sure you have the float right side up, it's easy to put in upside down (trust me on that).

Well taking them apart again I'll definitely get better at it! Also, it's all new floats, needle and seat so hopefully nO more dirt got in there

Silvertip · Nov 28, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

Replacing needle and seat may still not solve the problem is you don't adjust the float propery. Setting the float wrong can result in fuel level roo low or too high. That's why there is a spec for float level.

brtc · Nov 28, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

Rebuilt my carb today and the motor is running great. Thanks for the help everybody.

wanty9999 · Dec 1, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

the float level spec has quite a high range for my 48 evinrude (28-41mm) which is why i was baffled that i couldnt get it right! i mean, this is a very easy task. As it turns out, my fuel lines were connected to the tops of my carbs! I just re-connected the same was as previous owner had done it using photos i took! wowzers! running like a champ now

HighTrim · Dec 1, 2012

Re: bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

Yeah it is not rocket science. I have never used a gauge or measurement, only by eye. Just ensure it is square, not cockeyed, and parallel to the mounting surface. As stated, I just slightly leave the unhinged end higher to ensure the needle seats. Other than that, easy breezy.

bulb wont get hard, fuel leaks out my carb vent

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