Sticky Float Value in Carburetor

mstover

mstover

Member
I think I've found the problem to my starting/running issues.... but I'm not sure what to do short of buying a new float value for the carburetor. I have a new Zenith carburetor, but have had the ongoing problem of the car dying....like its running out of gas... then can't get it started again. After checking a lot of other possible causes, I took the carburetor apart and the problem seems to be a sticky float valve. Is there anything that can be done or am I left searching through the parts catalog for a new one?

I appreciate the help!
- Mike
 
Make sure the pivot shaft is straight, has no burrs, and is not worn. Any one of those could cause it to hang up.
Don't ask how I know!

Dick Wyckoff
 
Is it metal tip or rubber tip ????

Is it flooding or running out of gas ????

Some have had luck by lapping the metal tip with toothpaste but that is for one that leaks .
 
I had one where the gasket between carb top & bottom was too far into the bowl and the float hit it. Sealant build-up etc had to be trimmed back to provide clearance.
 
Is this really a new carburetor ?? Or is it new rebuilt unit ?? I prefer the Grose style needle valves.. As the others stated check the pin and hole to make sure they are as they should be.. If the float is old it could have a little dimple worn into it by the needle which could the float to hang,, filing, sanding, polishing [maybe even filling] this smooth will help the float to work freely..
 
I have had the problem of the needle valve sticking up in the seat also. I modified the needle by attaching a wire to it and having the float pull on the needle out of the seat as the float drops. I did this by putting the needle in a drill press, cutting a slot around the end of the needle with a hacksaw, then used a soft wire like you may find on a 1/4 watt resistor and wrapped it around the needle, then formed the wire to hook over the float arm. Solved the problem of hard starting.
 
Rubber tips and gas with ethanol in it don't get along. The ethanol softens the rubber and it gets sticky. I use only premium without ethanol in my Model As. It is even more pronounced in small engines. This gas starts going bad within 3 months and up north we store them longer than that.
 
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