Carb Float/Needle Stuck =Priming Necessary

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, 3 days ago after a ride on a real warm evening, noticed my carb was wet with gas, could smell it good too, used a rubber mallet, gave it a few taps, and then put her in the garage.

This morning I went to start engine, no go, would not fire up.

I then pulled the air filter, gave the throttle a crank, gas squirting in a nice stream in the carb. The engine still would not fire up.

I then primed the carb with a 2 onunces of gas, away she went.

I figure my float or needle was stuck open, then the remaining gas back siphoned out of the carb, and the result was needing a prime to start.

The only confusing thing was when I gave the throttle a tug, there was a stream of gas squirting in the carb.

You guys have any ideas, this has been the only time this year I have had to prime the engine to start, even after 5 days it does not require priming, I do notice in hot weather this becomes an issue..................................Fred

[greg g]

a small amount of gas left in the acc pump chambeer would not be unusual even if the rest of the bowl was dry.

[55 Fargo]

Thanx Greg, that answers this 1 for me.

It was a real hot day when I last drove the car, maybe the gas evaporated out, or the float was stuck, and allowed the gas to back-siphon.

This does not happen much, not sure I need to re-build the carb again or not......Fred

[greg g]

try lowering the float level a bit. it sounds counter intuitive but, less fuel to perculate more room to expand. Next time it happens treat it like a flooded engine situation. do not pump. just hold WOT while cranking. Your not about a wet carb would support a stuck open needle or a to high float which is perculating out of the carb with the under hood heat.

[55 Fargo]

try lowering the float level a bit. it sounds counter intuitive but, less fuel to perculate more room to expand. Next time it happens treat it like a flooded engine situation. do not pump. just hold WOT while cranking. Your not about a wet carb would support a stuck open needle or a to high float which is perculating out of the carb with the under hood heat.

Thanx a Bunch Greg, other than this, this engine is running very well, leaks oil like crazy, will be pulling oil pan in fall, to see what is happening.

So will lower the float a bit, this is flat country, so no steep hills to create any problems........Fred