Inside a carburetor float

[scar]

I have a Tillotson carburetor that I'm rebuilding.
I took the float out and when I shook it, it has a
liquid inside.
I see that there's a drop of solder at the end of the
float like something was put inside of it at the factory and then soldered up.
I've looked over the float but i don't see where gas could have gotten in. Nothing will come back out.
I didn't know if it is supposed to have a liquid inside or if it's supposed to be empty.

 

[Hicktick]

The only thing that's supposed to be inside a float is air ,.,..,

You need a new float .,,. metal is too thin to repair ,,.,.


,., ./.

 

[Bulligen]

There can be stress or age cracks that are almost invisable to see. Time for a new float !

 

[mrtexas]

Heat some water in your microwave and immerse the float. Then you will know where to solder.

 

[Patrick L.]

Yep, once the leak is found it can be soldered. But, new ones are readily available.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

And do the immersing outside! The liquid is gasoline, of couse...

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

I wipe the float dry, then turn it over and look for a wet spot. The gas will make the crack or pin hole wet right away. I light the wet spot and the heat of the flame will keep the gas squirting out as long as you hold it so the leak is on the bottom. Most of the time I can solder them OK, but I had one float that cracked as fast as I could solder them up, so it was time for a new float. The flame part is an outdoor job of course.

That drop of solder you see is the last spot soldered shut. The seam gets soldered first and the small hole lets the heated air escape so it doesn't blow the solder out of the seam as it's being soldered shut. Then when the float has cooled to room temp, the small hole is soldered shut.

 

[Mitch//pa]

i had a piece of loose solder inside a float rattling around which made it sound like fuel

 

[WestCoast]

it could be a drop of solder from the repair on the end of float, new floats are about $30, heat a pan of water till it boils, take it off the burner, hold the float by the float pin holder, then submerge the float, watch for bubbles as the gas vaporizes, if there is gas in the float, use a solder gun to make any repairs, don't want to get the whole float hot and unsolder the other joints

 

[scar]

Thanks everyone for the advice and info.
I think I'm just going to order a new float.
It definitely has liquid inside. It has so much, it sloshes.
Floats aren't really that costly.

 

[redmodelt]

It is as far as I know the difference in pressure that make the air bubble out. The hot water cause the air inside the float to expand pushing its way out any holes. I usually find the leaks then drill a small hole in the top, get the the gas out, then solder up the leaks and the small hole, all a lot less then $30 plus shipping.