Float level/roller needle/leak

Post any technical questions or queries here.
Post Reply
Charlynsane
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1177
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:50 am
Location: France

Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by Charlynsane »

Hello Guys

I ave some issues on my brand new HS4 the LH float is overflowing sometimes, everything is clean and brand new

I just took a glance on this..

Image

Someone ever experienced it?

I have the plastic fuel bowl, so it's not adjustable.. does it work? I always been afraid with fuel leaks in running engine!
Polarsilver
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 2934
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 12:22 pm
Location: Silverstone not far away
Has thanked: 38 times
Been thanked: 52 times

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by Polarsilver »

Had same problems a few years ago did everything to try to get this ball type valve to shut off .. solution was to go back & fit the original SU shut off valve the type with a fine pointed needle that is mounted in a fluted plastic guide .. my problems were then solved.
Oneball
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 932
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 12:33 pm
Location: Worcester
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by Oneball »

As well as what Polar said;

Check the float is actually closing the needle and check your fuel pressure isn’t too high.
Charlynsane
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1177
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:50 am
Location: France

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by Charlynsane »

Hello Guys

I finally found the problem..

Kunifer fuel pipes.. it rust inside.. I cleaned the carbs, and I will put another filter just before carbs

Does anyone can show me their fuel filter in engine bay?
indigo
850 Super
Posts: 138
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:41 am
Location: Down Under
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by indigo »

I had the same problem, would be OK for a while and then start leaking. Tried a few different needle and seats but same story. I suspect crap coming from the tank, even after I had tried to clean it out.
Put the filter in, and no more leaky needle and seats.
Need to find a more period correct filter now.
DSC_3576.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Oneball
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 932
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 12:33 pm
Location: Worcester
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by Oneball »

Charlynsane wrote: Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:16 am Hello Guys

I finally found the problem..

Kunifer fuel pipes.. it rust inside.. I cleaned the carbs, and I will put another filter just before carbs

Does anyone can show me their fuel filter in engine bay?
Well done.
cooper64
Basic 850
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:13 am

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by cooper64 »

Get a very long inner speedo drive cable and a drill and stick it down the steel fuel line to help clean it out . disconnect both ends of fuel line first and flush out fuel
User avatar
woodypup59
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1570
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:28 pm
Location: London UK
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 22 times

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by woodypup59 »

I guess another "benefit" of the ethanol in petrol nowadays.

Its so much more corrosive. Didn't know that it would affect Kunifer which is 90% copper and 10% nickel .
Charlynsane
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1177
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:50 am
Location: France

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by Charlynsane »

Hello Guys

I found the problem, crap from the original kunifer fuel lines.. so it may rust inside?

I will try to replace it with copper line, can, it be done without removing subframes??
User avatar
Ronnie
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1287
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 5:37 pm
Location: N/E England Where the SAND is GOLDEN and the sea is always COLD!!
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 31 times

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by Ronnie »

Kunifer does not rust, it is a Copper & Nickel alloy :!:
User avatar
111Robin
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 2633
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:59 pm
Location: Aberdeen Scotland
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 17 times

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by 111Robin »

As said, kunifer doesn't "rust". The crap will be coming from the tank. Unless ofcourse it's a brand new tank, then it could just be a bad dose of supermarket fuel. Either way blow through the line with both ends disconnected and fit an in line filter as shown on the previous reply. I wouldn't go to the bother of replacing the fuel lines if they are new.
bwaminispeed
998 Cooper
Posts: 609
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:05 am

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by bwaminispeed »

Yeah, the reason people use cunifer, is, because it doesn't rust.......

Those ball type valves are known to be leakers even when new.......Viton are the only really reliable needles......
Charlynsane
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1177
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:50 am
Location: France

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by Charlynsane »

Thank you guys, so I don't know what was in my float chamber as I have a very efficient Sytec filter before the fuel pump..

But my lines are maybe steel?
bwaminispeed
998 Cooper
Posts: 609
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:05 am

Re: Float level/roller needle/leak

Post by bwaminispeed »

I have seen "stuff" precipitate out of the fuel itself, and, collect in the fuel bowls.....

Also, the "red dust" quite commonly found in the bottoms of float bowls, is pretty normal, and, nothing to be overly worried about....It is very fine, and, actually goes right through most filters......It isn't large enough particles to stick needle valves open.......

How old is your fuel line......If it is original to the car, it may well be rusted internally. if it is newish/recently restored, not very likely that it would be corroded....Those two depressions right at the bottom of the float bowls, are actually debris/sediment traps.....

Since you apparently have a good filter before the pump, I would put another see through one just before the carb, and, monitor that for debris for a few tank fulls.......
Post Reply