I'm Leaking !!

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rozemab
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I'm Leaking !!

#1

Post by rozemab »

I noticed the other day after riding the tell-tail signs of gasoline leaking from my Linkert carb. The picture below shows the results. Before I tear it apart, what should I look for that might be causing the leak ?

The arrows are dried gas.
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Panacea
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#2

Post by Panacea »

Do you have a good float? Do you turn the gas off?
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#3

Post by CaptMike »

I also thunk, the float sunk. (Cotten has the floats for sail.)
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#4

Post by Cotten »

Rozemab!

Those stains did not accumulate in just one ride...
As Panacea points out, the first thing to suspect would be the petcock. However, the spray onto the pushrod tubes indicate it happens while the machine is in motion as well.

Some stain above the floatvalve could be attributed to seepage at the pivot bearing screw.
Stain further inboard seems to surround the vent to the venturi and main nozzle.

And as Panacea suggests, a logged or otherwise heavy float, or a swollen one, would be a likely culprit to overfill the system to the level of the overflow hole to the lower left of the vent hole, just above the gasket line.
However, it is hard to explain why it exits the sidevent, where air enters, and elevated above any runnable level of fuel in the nozzle well, unless something is amiss.

One source of diverted pressures and airflow is a loose venturi within the casting. Also, the nozzle spigot must be a tight fit within the venturi, or use a seal. Correcting these loose ends that are often overlooked in a common overhaul can restore the nozzle's "accelerator sump" effect.

....Cotten
rozemab
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#5

Post by rozemab »

I do turn the petcock off. I checked and it is working properly.

Cotton you are right about the dried gas. I suspect it has been leaking for quite awhile. I replaced the float many years ago and I too suspect it has gone bad. It was not a brass float but a foam one with a black coating on it. (been A few years :) )

Brian
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#6

Post by Cotten »

Brian!

I have never encountered a black coating.
Original OEM late '50s-mid 60s floats were a molded black foam most easily identified by a casting sprue dots on the very top surface.
They have been prone to swelling in modern fuels, like newer but obsolete formulas of the foam, including my own before June of '08. (I replace any that swell free of charge upon their return and verification, with the very latest.)

...Cotten
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#7

Post by tcb-1 »

that looks real familiar! the fuel looks like is coming out of the overflow and I would check your float height first. I had the exact same issue. a float being off as little as 1/8" can cause you to have overflow.
rozemab
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#8

Post by rozemab »

well, well, well

Do you think this might be the problem ? :D
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steve_wood
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#9

Post by steve_wood »

I think you got it!

Might be a good opportunity to lap the gasket surface of the bowl too!
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#10

Post by rozemab »

steve_wood wrote:I think you got it!

Might be a good opportunity to lap the gasket surface of the bowl too!

Good idea Steve
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#11

Post by Cotten »

And then lathe-cut the floatvalve gasket deck and bowlstem gasket deck square to it: standard procedure for any thorough overhaul.

....Cotten
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#12

Post by Motorcyclemike »

As i look at the first post that you did and asked the question about the leak...... in your first picture : is that the remains of "teflon" thread sealing tape around the male threads of the gas inlet valve?
if soooooo that is a No NO......as some of it might be cut loose when the nut is tightend and make it's way to the float valve seat area and cause the gas to also flood bowl !

I might be 100% wrong ?......but correct me if i am !
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#13

Post by Cotten »

Folks,

Both sealing gaslines and locking the float to the lever requires a goober that positively resists P4gas.

At this time, I am endorsing an off-the-hardwarestore-shelf contact adhesive called Pliobond, marketed by "W.J. Ruscoe Co., 483 Kenmore Blvd., Akron, OH 44301",... as it proved marvelous resistance in my local fuel.

It would be great to know if it is available widely, and if it resists fuels elsewhere as well as it does here.

....Cotten
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#14

Post by 59Panman »

Cotten,

Pliobond is available all over the internet.

Here is the ACE hardware link

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/16 ... 47526.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: I'm Leaking !!

#15

Post by Cotten »

ozwick86 wrote:Cotten, Pliobond is available all over the internet.
Thanks Mark!

But if its all over the Internet,.. and our computers haven't locked up... Beware it may not be the great adhesive I thought it was!

Looking forward to anyone's trials and comparisons,

....Cotten
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