Test for leaky fuel valve ?

M

mleder

Senior Member
I would like to prove my valve does not leak. If I rebuild it or find another one short of installing it on the car and waiting for a leak what is a reliable test? . If I use air pressure what psi would I want to set it at? Since I'm looking at a fluid leak should I have some gasoline ahead of the air pressure to use the actual viscosity of the gasoline try to find a leak path ?
 
If the hardware store valve is a full flow ball, I don't think you'll have a problem. Anyway after 5+ years, I don't.
It seems to me a good test is to shut the valve off, run the carb dry, disconnect from carb, and put a can under it. Next day will tell the tale. Maybe sooner.
 
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I appreciate the replies so far but my question was with the valve off the car.If I purchase a valve at a swap meet I do not want to install an unknown possible leaker.
 
mleder said:
I appreciate the replies so far but my question was with the valve off the car.If I purchase a valve at a swap meet I do not want to install an unknown possible leaker.
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The chance of finding a good one @ a swap meet are NIL! That's where folks turn their JUNK into CASH! I'd worry MORE about how MANY folks had sucked or blown in those valves:eek:!!! MANY re-pros even leak, but many don't realize it's happening:rolleyes: I'll DELETE MY POST.
Bill W.
 
I used epoxy to attach a short piece of PVC pipe in a hole in the bottom of a plastic container and then screwed the valve into the pipe and put gas in the container.
 
I know of no portable test you can bring to a swap meet that includes liquid. No seller is going to allow you to hook up any liquid to a valve they are selling. To weed out the worst of the worst, you can fit a plastic hose to one end, place the valve to your ear and blow to see if you hear air.
 
1930 coupe said:
If the valve is not installed in the car, you can suck on it with your mouth and put your tongue on it. If it is still stuck on your tongue after one minute it is not leaking.
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This sounds like a good first check.
Hopefully the valve at the swap meet won't be stuck open.

My valve cost me 10 gallons of gas over the winter during the first year I owned my 29 Tudor. I took it apart, cleaned it and lapped it with toothpaste, and it's been perfect ever since. I gave it a light coat of grease when I put the valve back together, and it's turned very easily since. This has been over 20 years ago.
 
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