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Stale Gas a Problem? What do you use?

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Patrick67BJ8

Patrick67BJ8

Obi Wan
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New Engine finally broken in and now the carb/fuel problems seem to have started. Engine runs good and then it will occasionaly cough and sputter and gas overflows onto the ground. Car does sit for a few weeks at a time. I haven't checked to see if the gas is overflowing from the Intake or Car overflow tubes yet. Reving the engine helps it to run smooth again for a while. I'm leaning towards the Carb float chamber needle & seats. With the engine "off" and the key "on" there's no gas overflowing but this could be intermitent. My experience with a bad jet/diaphram is that gas will overflow all the time with a cracked diaphram.

What additive(s) do you use to keep the gas from going bad?
 
If you are not running the Grose Jet float chamber valves you might look into them as they really do solve several common problems with the original needle and seat valves. Don't know if that is your issue or if your carbs were rebuilt when you did the engine but it is an inexpensive effective modification that solves the sticking needle valve issues.
 
I've been using Chevron Premium and don't have a problem. A month ago I decided to rebuild my HD8s because it had been 15 years since I rebuilt them last and was concerned about the rubber going bad. It looked to be in pretty good shape.
 
Patrick--

Stale gas has a distinctive odor--hard to describe but once you smell it you will not forget it. In any case gas should not go off in a few weeks and no additive should be necessary. If gas is coming out the overflow tube I'd be checking the level of fuel in the bottom of the carb.
 
Thanks to all who replied.

Roscoe,
The Carbs were not rebuilt, but actually "restored" to new specs by a very good carb guy. However, needle seats can get gummed up or malfunction. I bought a set of gross jets when they first came out several years ago and it took care of these problems. I'll check my parts box to see if I still have them and/or try some carb cleaner to see if that clears the problem up.

John Turney,
I've had problems in the past with the rubber diaphrams cracking but this time it appears to be the float needle/seats because it's intermittent. Also feels like the engine is starving for gas. When the rubber diaphrams fracture/crack the gas will pour out the copper lines at the ends of the Intake manifold and with the engine OFF and the ignition ON there's no gas coming out of the copper lines. Still, there's a first time for everything on a Healey. LOL

Michael,
I never smelled bad gas that I'm aware of. I will check the fuel levels in the float chambers the next time it happens. I did have a float sink a few months ago and it's the first time that happened and luckily it was in my garage and not on the road.

A 7 year restoration including a new frame is 99% done and now the repairs start. LOL. I'll post photos soon because I've gotten so much help from so many people on the List who ahve asked me too. With hundreds of photos I can now help others with "details".

Thanks BCF guys!
 
Have had similar problems with our BN2. First, we were getting intermittent erratic pump and flooding. On the advice of many people on the mailing list, I had set the float level--7/16"--with the lever just resting on the spring-loaded needle valve. My father, who's only been working on cars for 70 years, insisted the level should be set with the springs compressed. Finally, in desperation, I went with the Old Man's advice and set them that way and ... wait for it ... problem solved. The other day, after the car had been sitting for a couple months as I worked on the upholstery, it started but barely ran. First, we checked compression for a stuck valve, etc.--170-179psi on all 4--then pulled the float bowl lids. Sure enough, one of the rubber-tipped needle valves was stuck and we had a dry bowl. I have Grose jets for this car, but one of them sticks closed--I've heard the quality has gone down but I have them in my BJ8 and they've been flawless for many years. I have one needle valve with a brass tip and, dangit, can't find its mate. Don't know if the valves we have are Viton or not--the tips are black--but I guess I'll either try those or spring for another pair of Grose jets.
 
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