Hi my jellymold restoration is almost finished, today i got it fired up for the first time, but although it started and ran ok on the stand i am getting fuel running out of the breather pipes on the carbs, although during the restoration i stripped the carbs fitted new jets and checked float levels etc , could this be a fuel pump problem rather than a carb problem before i start stripping everything down again?

 

Did you replace the O ring seals on the T fittings between the carburetors? Could be a stuck float as well. Unlikely the fuel pump since they are low pressure pumps.

 

yes i replaced the o rings so it looks like another carb strip think i will replace the needle valves.

 

it's easy to check the operation of the float valve once you have the carburetors off the engine without taking them apart. Drain the fuel from the fuel lines and bowls. Attach a clean hose to the fuel line leading to the carburetors. With the carburetors in their normal position, put the clean hose in your mouth and try to blow air into the carburetors. You should be able to. Now, while blowing, turn the carburetors upside down. You should not be able to blow air into them anymore. If you can, you have a stuck float. Sometimes, a sharp rap with the handle end of a screw driver against the float bowl will knock it lose.

 

Hi thanks for the info, when i switch the ignition on i presume that the fuel pump is energized but i dont have fuel coming out of the air tube, its only when i start the engine that fuel is expelled out of the air tube. or am i wrong thinking that the fuel pump is operating when just the ignition is on, but only operates when the engine is running. any i will persevere untill its sorted, thanks again for your help.

 

The fuel pump only operates when the engine is running, or during the time that the starter button is pressed. This is because it's operation is linked to the ignition circuits. Fuel Injected engines have fuel pumps that prime because they need high pressure for the injectors to work.

 

Hi and thanks for the info, did as you suggested and removed the carbs drained them and then blew through them, and it turned out the leak was between carbs 3 and 4 so on stripping no 3 had a stuck float, rebuilt and running fine, thanks again, tony.

 

Nice and thanks for getting back and letting everyone know it's fixed. Enjoy the ride.