carburetor leak

Bill Venohr · Post by **Bill Venohr** » Sun Nov 03, 2002 2:18 pm

I was out messing with the plane yesterday and noticed some fuel stains on the lower cowl. I checked everything I could see without removing the lower cowl and found a drip of fuel coming off the back of the carburetor, once every two or three seconds. I turned off the fuel in the cabin and the drip stopped. Any ideas?

zero.one.victor · Post by **zero.one.victor** » Sun Nov 03, 2002 3:54 pm

Off-the-cuff guess: stuck float or more likely a leaky needle/seat in carb.

Eric

Post by **GAHorn** » Sun Nov 03, 2002 5:32 pm

Take a medium screwdriver and use the handle to "rap" the side of the carburetor bowl once or twice, to see if the drip stops. If it does, inspect the fuel strainers and drain the bowl thru the bowl plug. With the plug still removed, flush it by openening the fuel valve and running a pint or so of fuel thru it. Watch out for hazards, and keep a heavy blanket and your fire extinguisher handy, your hands and arms out of the fuel, and your running shoes on.
(This is why I always turn my fuel off when I park the airplane overnight.)