GrassStripFlyBoy Posted July 29, 2023 Report Share Posted July 29, 2023 Have been noticing fuel smell at time of take off, and seeing signs of leaking on LH drip tray. Floats are normal, and fuel level appears normal too. Pic's of fuel shut off hanging opening, and with needle just touching shut off position. Anything noticed, or what else is there to check / adjust? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted July 29, 2023 Report Share Posted July 29, 2023 I had the same issue. The new rubber gaskets can be slightly unseated and yet look OK. I was just a little more careful and it solved the problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted July 29, 2023 Report Share Posted July 29, 2023 This should be an easy fox, but much easier over the phone. Give me a call. If the two items we'll discuss doesn't fix then there is one last cause and fix that most don't know about. 520-349-7056 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrassStripFlyBoy Posted July 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2023 Roger to the rescue, thanks for the help. Adjusted the float lever arms to fuel shut off needle, was just out of spec low, test run - so far all dry. And I have a new appreciation with steel fuel lines, yup - they are a bugger when pulling carb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted July 29, 2023 Report Share Posted July 29, 2023 1 hour ago, GrassStripFlyBoy said: Roger to the rescue, thanks for the help. Adjusted the float lever arms to fuel shut off needle, was just out of spec low, test run - so far all dry. And I have a new appreciation with steel fuel lines, yup - they are a bugger when pulling carb. It's so easy for these to get out of spec by getting bumped or just normal wear from movement. I made a tool from angle that has the correct height marked on it, so when I flip the carb over I can lay the angle across the bowl gasket lip and match the mark up with the float arms. Glad you got fixed up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opticsguy Posted August 2, 2023 Report Share Posted August 2, 2023 I've had a leak on the pilot's side for years. It only happens when flying, and rarely happens when I fly in smooth air. The drip pan is dry when I'm on the ground. I have a nice fuel stain on the pilot side of the plane from years of this. Tom Jr. suggested replacing the float bowl and gasket. He says he's seen some warped ones. Thoughts Roger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warmi Posted August 3, 2023 Report Share Posted August 3, 2023 I was noticing fuel on the drip pan and finally, after one pre-flight and a good hand push on the carb I found this … Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted August 3, 2023 Report Share Posted August 3, 2023 These carb sockets are a 5 year rubber replacement. What causes cracks like this is over tightening the clamp when the spacer for the clamp is missing or some putting extreme pressure on the carb and tore the rubber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warmi Posted August 3, 2023 Report Share Posted August 3, 2023 They were supposed to be replaced in 2022 as part of my 5 year rubber but , according to the mechanic they “somehow missed it” so the rubber for these sockets was effectively from 2017. Once I found that one , I replaced both myself ( the other side was still perfect ) There is a spacer so theoretically it should not have been possible to over tighten it too much so I am not sure why this happened … Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opticsguy Posted August 3, 2023 Report Share Posted August 3, 2023 That's about the age of mine, since I went E-LSA at 15 years. Will have to check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted August 3, 2023 Report Share Posted August 3, 2023 21 hours ago, opticsguy said: Tom Jr. suggested replacing the float bowl and gasket. He says he's seen some warped ones. Thoughts Roger? You can try lapping the bowl gasket face....get a glass plate, put some 1200+ grit sandpaper on it wetted with oil, flip the bowl onto it and rub the face very lightly on for 15sec or so. This will remove any burrs or imperfections. Don't overdo it, it only takes light pressure for a short period. I did this on one if my bowls and it helped with a leak I had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted August 3, 2023 Report Share Posted August 3, 2023 11 minutes ago, FlyingMonkey said: You can try lapping the bowl gasket face....get a glass plate, put some 1200+ grit sandpaper on it wetted with oil, flip the bowl onto it and rub the face very lightly on for 15sec or so. This will remove any burrs or imperfections. Don't overdo it, it only takes light pressure for a short period. I did this on one if my bowls and it helped with a leak I had. That will work if you have the old style bowls. If you have the new style the guide pins for the floats stick out above the top of the bowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted August 5, 2023 Report Share Posted August 5, 2023 On 8/3/2023 at 5:11 PM, Tom Baker said: That will work if you have the old style bowls. If you have the new style the guide pins for the floats stick out above the top of the bowl. That’s true. The new bowls also don’t have complete pass through of the pin holes, which are another point of potential leaking (I’ve had it happen). If it were me and I had the old style bowls, I’d replace them rather than try a fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted August 6, 2023 Report Share Posted August 6, 2023 Bowl's shouldn't leak. Usually damaged bowls come from the 914 from over tightening the bottom bolt and warping the bowl. It could be as simple as the rubber gasket isn't being seated in the grooved area well or the fuel really isn't coming from the bowl sealed area and just looks that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opticsguy Posted August 7, 2023 Report Share Posted August 7, 2023 It only leaks when the motor is running, if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted August 7, 2023 Report Share Posted August 7, 2023 4 hours ago, opticsguy said: It only leaks when the motor is running, if that helps. Sounds like float arm height needs adjustment to me. When the fuel pump is turning you get higher pressure leaking past the valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted August 7, 2023 Report Share Posted August 7, 2023 It's either the float armature height, heavy floats, a bad needle valve or the needle valve seat that needs polishing. Call me if you have any questions. These three things are easy to fix. These are the issue provided you have a good seat seal from the bowl gasket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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