Ride on fuel in sump
My ride on blew heaps of white/blue smoke one day, shut it straight down.
I was told to change the oil, as probably the needle and seat or something probably got stuck.
Undid the sump plug, but fuel absolutely pours out everywhere from that point, emptying the tank.
What's my next point of attack, other than looking to see where to shut off the fuel line....
Should I try to be finding how to fix the needle and seat thing??
I think I'll go youtube surfing for help in the mean time.
Thanks all
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take the fuel hose of at the fuel tank and if you can blow through the hose the needle and seat is stuck open if that is the case give the bottom of the fuel bowl a few slight taps with a hammer or mallet 9 times out of 10 this will free the needle and seat caution dont tap too hard with the hammer. drain the oil and refill .
viewer (12-10-09)
There are a lot of how to videos for this job. Sounds like its leaking rather than jammed open as it would flood and not run. Just make sure you put it back in right so the float lifting closes the fuel flow.
Also make sure the fuel filter is in good nick.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlCxQJ7Ffgc]YouTube - HowTo: Check if Your Carburetor Float is Stuck B&S[/ame]
viewer (12-10-09)
The needle and seat have a little dirt inside causing the valve to remain open, are worn causing a poor seal or are out of adjustment.
Its a very simple job to get to them depending on the carb, but while you are there, also take a look at the fuel input line just on the other end of the needle and seats fitting, some carbs have a small piece of gauze mesh as a filter to stop small particles getting through to the needle and seat.
If you cannot find a youtube vid on how to, post pics of the carb if your unsure how to dismantle it.
If you do not know how to adjust the float bowl level take care not to bend any tangs that protrude and touch the needle.
Just take your time and think. place all parts in the order you remove them, use a marking pen to mark items so you know how it all goes back together again.
viewer (12-10-09)
Thank you very much all.
I watched the video...thanks...hope I'm better at selecting the right spanner/ socket..lol
The fuel spills out of the sump in torrents...
I'll have a crack at it tomoorow after work ( hopefully ), and see what I can do.
Again, good contributions...thank you.
Should also always turn off the fuel when finished, could stop a bent conrod next time.
Last edited by rob916; 12-10-09 at 08:26 PM.
What happens if I press alt + F4?
viewer (07-02-10)
Originally Posted by rob916
Hmmm..never do shut off the fuel....suppose I should though....why would that cause the damage that you suggest?...too much fuel and boom??
Last edited by viewer; 12-10-09 at 08:34 PM. Reason: added bit at end
If you have a leaky needle and seat( it doesn't need to be much over weeks) then fuel runs into the combustion chamber, then when you try and start it the fuel does not compress and you bend a conrod.
Last edited by rob916; 12-10-09 at 08:42 PM.
What happens if I press alt + F4?
viewer (12-10-09)
Yep, rob is spot on, always switch off the tap at the tank as it may slowly leak into your motor, past the piston ring end gaps and into your sump.
Most times it will flood your sparkplug rather than bend your rod, but it will more than likely pull back hard against your hand if its a pull start.
It can be a very painful experience.
I know this cause I parked my 69 VW Type 3 Fastback up a hill one day and the cylinders filled up with fuel.........
What happens if I press alt + F4?
Ah, one was flooded excessively, most likely the other 3 fired bending the one where the cylinder had a hydrolock.
Seen this happen to V8 speed boats with the exhaust in the water, if just one pulls back some water and the others are OK, expect either what looks like a seized engine which is really just full of water or a bent rod if the others fire and this one cylinder is water logged.
Single cylinder engines exhibit either what feels like a stuck engine because of the excessive fuel making such a good seal or a bone breaking kick back when it wants to go back the other way.
Last edited by Godzilla; 13-10-09 at 10:15 AM.
Hmmmm...live and learn hey....I'll turn off the fuel on both ride ons in the future....
A picture to help me of what to do next?
Hi all,
I have done nothing with this yet, looked at it a few times and scratched my head.
If you look at the picture, you will see that the fuel bowl has an "electric thingo" connected to the bottom of the bowl.
How do you get that out of the way to get to the nut on the bottom of the bowl?
Does the electric thing screw off, or does it come away with the whole bowl, whilst trying to get a spanner between the electric thingo and the bowl?
Or, do I pull hard on the white plastic connector, and that will remove the wire from the thing, and I then unscew the whole bowl?
Sorry...not good with engines etc....just a plodder.
It looks like an electric fuel cut off unlike my mower which has a tap in the fuel line that I have to manually turn off and on. Its basically a solenoid which perhaps pushed the float valve up to cut off the fuel.
It looks as if the top of the solenoid has sides cut into it to allow a spanner to grip it and unscrew it. Normally the bottom of the float bowl will have a bolt to hold it on. I suspect the solenoid screw fitting holds the bowl in place.
You need a thin spanner to undo the solenoid or you might get away with carefully turning its body to unscrew it but be very careful not to damage it as it might not like the strain involved. Also be careful to not lose any small pieces.
viewer (07-02-10)
Thanks for the reply.
If it is a solenoid, it does turn, but I don't think it is meant to, as it is very tight.
I suspect I'll have to get that thin spanner you suggest, and try to get in that gap to undo things?
There is a manual fuel on/off tap on the fuel line which is to the right, but not in the picture
Hi,
SystemRat sent me in the right direction...undid that connection, turned the nut above the solenoid with a thin spanner, and it all came away. Naturally there was a little bit of fuel in the bowl that came out. The solenoid thingo looked ok, but I bet that means nothing? A slight press on it seemed to show it works ok. The fuel bowl had a lot of residue on the bottom of it and I cleaned that up.
I found the float thingo up above where the bowl is, and it moves up and down very freely...should I be having to remove it?
How can I check the solenoid is ok, or should I take that to the mower shop to get checked that it actually works?
Hate to put new oil etc in the thing and the fuel all flows into the engine again.
Next hints please?
Many thanks.
Put power into the solenoid then remove the power. The plunger should move. I think it is a fuel shut off solenoid to quickly kill the engine when switched off
To test the fuel float, blow into the fuel inlet of the carby while pushing up the float...you should get no air flow...release the float and air should flow freely
Last edited by mandc; 07-02-10 at 02:14 PM.
Thanks mandc,
If I remove the bowl again, then just connect the solenoid back and turn the key to allow power, is that when I should feel it (if in my hand) or see it moving?
yeah that should work...you should feel a click inside the solenoid as well....make sure you have it grounded on the chassis and make sure there is no fuel nearby...don't want a burnt viewer.
Last edited by mandc; 07-02-10 at 02:25 PM.
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