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Stromberg XJ6 SII fuel pouring out from top port

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bmurphy7369

bmurphy7369

Jedi Trainee
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Hello to all,

I finally started the '75 XJ6C with the rebuilt Strombergs back to auto-choke, and have fuel dripping heavily down the front (air cleaner box mounting area). Strangely it is coming from a port hole above the air intake where you can see the needle and piston. Any idea as to the cause of this and how to correct it? I haven't yet installed the air cleaner housing, I did seem to have the leak stopped a few days ago, then hooked up the coolant lines to the chokes and adjusted the idle when the car warmed up. I started the car again last night and the fuel was again pouring out heavily. I decided to give up for the night and seek some help from those more experienced with the quirks of the 175CD2SE's, though I understand they are relatively maintenance free if in good condition. I'm baffled and any help would be appreciated greatly.
Hope you all have been well!

Thanks so much,
Brian
 
To me, it sounds like your needle and seat are sticking, or your float is leaking.
 
Brian,

Needles sticking, take a small ball pein hammer and tap on the side of ZS carb base, if your lucky that will break the needle free and the you are go to go. Otherwise, carbs have to come off. You could a fairly heavy wrench and tap teh sides as well.

Marv
 
Thank you Ron and Marv, couldn't understand why the fuel would be coming out an upper air hole though! I'll try the "knock it silly" trick and if it refuses to cooperate I'll tear it down again..... hope to avoid this, but don't need another fire. This is the final repair to old fire damage from the day after I purchased the car in 2003. The backfire issue did resolve with the rebuilt carbs, so all is looking hopeful. Thanks again and I'll let you know how it turns out.
Brian
 
Thank you guys, oddly, the rear carb's float was out of the hinge on the jet side, therefore not contacting the jet and cutting fuel. I may have done this by taking out my frustration with the tapping for a while, so anyway the jet is not stuck (now) and float is operating the cutoff. If anyone has a picture of a US Emissions model XJ6 1975 with autochokes (or manual) I would appreciate a few shots of the various vacuum hoses and fuel and coolant lines to reference for finishing the carb work. I am sure I am missing a few vacuum lines, and I seem to have hoses in the way (coolant and fuel) which cram against each other and cramp the area. I never had the chance to see the original setup as the car had been on fire the day after I purchased it and the chokes were manual with burnt cables. I will try to get a picture up of my setup minus the air cleaner box and ask for some tips on rearranging of rerouting the lines. Any critical advice will be taken in great stride of course! I am learning. SU's were just way too easy on the MGA and the TR3's and it has been years since I had done those. Thank you again and any tuning tips without the gadgets (timing mainly and fuel/air) are needed badly.

Best Regards,
Brian

Note: I know this is difficult for us all who have been around a while, but Jack (John) Fairington took great amounts of time emailing me a few years ago and had me very well versed on the installation. I became very ill soon after his emails and our phone conversations told me all the ins and outs and was unable to begin this project. I finally resumed and am saddened that I am unable to retrieve all the wealth of information and the encouragement that Jack shared with me, by phone and email. I know anyone who had the pleasure of communicating with Jack understands how deeply he is missed. I feel I need to complete this project. I re-read all of his old replies to me and am always amazed at how brilliant he was on simplifying complex information, and how willing to take the time to educate anyone that needed a professional opinion. I know much has been said in regards to our friend, but I wanted to share the experiences that I had with him while this was fresh on my mind. Thank you to all who are so helpful and thanks to Jack, you are missed.
 
Your comments regarding Jack are all too true. I had looked forward to meeting and knowing him. I joined the BCF much too late, our acquaintance much too short.

Which "gadgets" are you referring to, Brian? Some things are going to be unavoidable purchases to get a Jag six to run correctly.

The ZS units are actually not too different in their operation from the SU's you have experience with, just the ways they achieve the end result. Not a big fan of the ZS but done my share of 'em. Have you the mixture adjusting tool? A timing light?

Sorry to be asking but I don't come over here too often, so not as familiar with the Jag crowd. First thing I'd say is: whacking a cast carb body with a metal object would be a bad thing... plastic hammer or a piece of dense wood would be MUCH more acceptable as a knobbling tool to shock those needles/seats. And in honesty, if one's leaking as described it should be benched and the cause found and fixed. Hammers and Jags don't often mix well in my opinion.
 
Hello Doc, thank you for the encouragement. I was describing my carb banging method as I wished I could have performed it, on that day anyway. Rest assured, I was way too kind to the ZS set...
I am glad that you were able to know Jack as well, I can say no more about my admiration for the man. My biggest regret is postponing a trip to Jack's Toy Shop, I am sure it was a joy to watch and learn from such an expert.

I am now back to the Stromberg issues, less the fuel leak. The car is running fairly well but when it reaches standard running temp shutting the engine off usually requires an hour or so wait for another successful start. ????

Chokes not shutting off? Lost again.

Thank you for saying hello and sharing your knowledge. I will heed it well. I just completed the front brakes and was very eagerly wanting a long drive when the dying/not starting while engine warm issue arose. Of course without the vacuums/emmisions in general I should expect no less on a very early Federal car I suppose.

Great to meet you in this great forum and look forward to many exchanges in the near future.

Best Regards,
Brian
 
I echo all that has been said about Jack, there is a big hole that will never be filled. I think that all who came in contact with the man were impressed by his knowledge and his willingness to share that knowledge.

He left an impression on us all.
 
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