16 replies to this topic

[buxvan]

fired up my mg metro engine in my clubvan for the 1st time since rebuilding it last year & after realizing that the ignition leads go 1342 & not 1234 ! she fired up & sounds nice & quiet.

problem is that after a couple of minutes, petrol starts dripping from the overflow pipe.

the haynes manual is utter bollards & i rebuilt this carb making sure i checked the float level & thoroughly cleaned everything at the same time.

i suspect the float needle & or seating. (i had a new in line filter fitted too!)

COULD IT BE ANYTHING ELSE THOUGH ?

Thanks in advance

Edited by buxvan, 08 February 2012 - 09:37 PM.

[J960mayfair]

we had this problem first time with mine! is your tappets set correctley?

[buxvan]

certainly are. can't see how tappets, loose or tight could be the reason though.

Edited by buxvan, 08 February 2012 - 10:00 PM.

[George929]

do you have a fuel filter. my hs4 did that when there was a tiny bit of dirt blocking the little needle valve in the float chamber. i know HIF is different but it might be similar

[buxvan]

in line fuel filter fitted.!

[thebullet]

Did you seat the needle properly?

Edit: read you think it is that. My guess is this!

Edited by thebullet, 08 February 2012 - 10:30 PM.

[buxvan]

how do you 'seat the needle' properly ?

think i will whip it apart tomorrow if the garage is not too freezing. watch this space

ps, can i buy just a new needle & seating on there own?

[Pigeonto]

One thought,apart from I cant get rid of these bloody italics. I cant remember on a Hif but where the seating fits into the carb body there must be some kind of seal whether it be a fibre washer or an O ring.I've had this on other carbs and you keep thinking that the needle isnt shutting off when actually its leaking between the seat and the carb body.

[Ethel]

What fuel pump, isn't just too much line pressure?

[buxvan]

Bog STD fuel pump fitted. Can anyone tell me where I can buy the seating & float needle ?

[Mad Max]

Had this problem with mine, it is the needle valve in the float chamber. You can buy a kit for them as they do wear. has a new valve, seat and there is little filter behind the seat to that comes in the kit.

[benb12]

When I bought a new needle valve for my carb it did not come with an O-ring or washer or anything... I suppose I need to take it out again and fit an O-ring?

[dklawson]

Surely Mini Spares or any of the other parts suppliers would have HIF float valves. If not... Burlen certainly would.

I have only worked on a handful of HIF carbs. However, I don't think there is an "o-ring" between the brass body/seat of the float valve and the carb body. I believe it is a fiber washer like is used on the earlier HS series carbs.

If you cannot get the replacement valve easily or quickly, take the valve out of your carb and inspect it. If it is a metal/metal valve (no rubber tips) where the needle has a solid brass tip, look for scoring and a wear ring. If you do NOT find a wear ring there are two things you can try. First, use a knife to gently scrape the corners of the needle where it rubs against the inside of the valve body. This is not the tip, its' the sides. Gentle scraping will remove any burrs that may be causing the needle to hang. Second, apply toothpaste (not gel) to the tip of the needle, insert it into the valve body and gently twist it back and forth, lifting it every now and then. This will lap the tip of the needle so it fits the seat better. Neither of these steps should be attempted if the tip of the needle has visible wear on it... that is handled by replacement.

It goes without saying that when you went through this carb before and after trying things like toothpaste lapping that you should flush out all the insides with spray carb cleaner. You don't want old varnish, perished bits of rubber hose, or toothpaste preventing the carb from operating correctly.

[buxvan]

Thanks for all the advice .. Still to cold in garage but will gety act together sat morning

[buxvan]

Problem found. Wear ridge on needle. Wife was moaning so suffered cold garage for peace , quiet & a roll-up. where can I buy a new one please ?