Overflowing Carbs

[PurpleBargeKen]

Finally managed to get to the garage to try and sort out the starting on Big White Dolly. The fuel hoses looked like they'd seen better days and I replaced the ones on the pump, etc nearest the bulkhead as there was evidence of some petrol seepage. At the very top of what looks like a cylindrical chamber there are two hoses. One I replaced and one looks like some kind of run off or overflow hose and is only a couple of inches long. I didn't touch that one. <br>
<br>
Newly charged battery on and choke out....... got her running. Sounded lovely, no knocks or tapping noises. Yippee. Ah, hmmmm....a "That smells like petrol" moment. Oh yes indeed it was. Pi**ing out of what looked like the top of said cylindrical chamber<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Fastest fear induced turning off of the engine ever and careful disconnecting of battery leads thus ensued. <br>
<br>
Took top off chamber via 3 small screws (big acorn shaped float inside). Didn't really mean anything to me so I put it back together. What do I do??? How do I do it? Anyone fancy doing it for me? I am to mechanics as Hitler was to racial and religious tolerance. You get my drift<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :( --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":("><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> HELP!!!!<br>
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Mind you the car did sound damn good though<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Ken

<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... omiteuk</A> at: 31/10/06 9:43 am<br></i>

[Jon Tilson]

Take the lid of the float chanber again. The float will be dangling from this top. You will see a small brass spring loaded valve that is operated by the float. Remove the pin that float pivots on...usually they pull out with pliers but sometimes a gentle tap with a suitable drift is needed. Once the float is off, the valve will drop out and you can clear out the dirt that is stopping it from sealing.<br>
If it looks worn then new ones are available.<br>
If the float is perforated then it will sink. Again you need a new one.<br>
<br>
If you got this far its within your abilities...<br>
<br>
New gaskets will also be a good idea although I find they last ages.<br>
<br>
Jonners

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[Sprint36]

That would be your float chamber Ken, and it's overflowing! Take the acorn shaped thing, which is the float, pull out the pivot pin and detach from the float chamber lid. Have a look at the float. Does it have fluid (petrol) inside? If so it's buggered. Try dunking it in some warm water and see if any bubbles come out. Bubbles also mean it's buggered.<br>
<br>
If the float seems OK then the needle valve is probably stuck open or has some crud in it. It is the rocket shaped thing that dropped on the floor when you removed the float from the cover and stops the flow of petrol into the float chamber when the chamber is full. Just like the ball cock in your toilet. Have a look at the pointy end of the needle valve. If it has an obvious groove worn around it, it's probably worth replacing. If not try giving everything a good clean and blow through, and check the fuel pump filter while you're at it. <br>
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Having reassembled the valve and float you should check the float clearance when the valve is shut. If you invert the lid and the float rests on the lid without the valve stopping it then the valve is guess what - buggered!<br>
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Have you got a Haynes manual? It's all in there.<br>
<br>
David

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[tinweevil]

Great description David. 'that dropped on the floor' <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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One addition, said rocket shaped thingy often has one end spring loaded, the non sealing end if memory serves. Check that this moves in and out smoothly.<br>
<br>
Tinweevil

<p>1978 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/704">Dolomite Sprint</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> Blue, a bit tetley.<br>
1972 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/754">Spitfire IV</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> No name, in bits.<br>
1968 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/705">GT6 II</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> Little blue, nice!<br>
1973 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/755">Dolomite Sprint</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> VA41, seriously tetley.<br>
1980 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/864">Dolomite 1500HL</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> Orange, current daily drive.</p><i></i>

[LewisK]

Just a note - the small pin that holds the float to the lid will only come out one way, if you want to re-use it. If you look at it closely you'll see one end is slightly wider (mine had 3 'lumps') so you want to drive it out so that you don't flatten these. It stops it falling out of it's own accord.<br>
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Not that it really matters much I figure but it's nice not to massacre stuff <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[Sprint36]

Agreed about the spring loaded bit sticking. I had one do it recently and the petrol smell gave me a right headache.<br>
<br>
Re: the float pivot pin. I think the chamber is shaped so that when the lid is on the pin can't come out.<br>
<br>
David

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[PurpleBargeKen]

Cheers everybody. I'll probably tackle it either at the weekend or Monday. <br>
<br>
I'll let ya know how I get on.<br>
<br>
Thanks very much<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Ken

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[Dolly Bird]

Ken,<br>
<br>
Just a little tip from a female perspective.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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I've found that fitting an in-line fuel filter helps. It stops most of the crap and drudge that might be in the petrol before it gets to the carbs<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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<p>Debs<br>
Custodian of "Molly the Dolly"<br>
</p><i></i>

[PurpleBargeKen]

Hi Debs,<br>
<br>
The chap that owned the car prior to me was sensible and fitted one. I guess that with the car standing for a couple of years all kinds of gunk may have settled. Give the car some credit though, with a freshly charged battery it started after about 2 turns of the key and some choke. I was quite impressed until I smelled petrol<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START : --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Damn good idea though and a cheapie too. I shall be buying one for Small White Dolly asap.<br>
<br>
Ta <br>
<br>
Ken

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