9.9 Merc 2001, Carb Problem

[chopper72]

I cleaned my carb and went to fire it up and I had gas spilling from the carb. My guess is that I had a problem gettting the bowl gasket down tight. It is a complicated rubber gasket. My question - can I use some type of silocone or gasket sealer to hold it down. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[SteveVT]

If you had trouble getting the carb gasket down tight then it's likely that you are re-using an old swollen gasket. This can happen even with a new gasket if not ethanol-proof and you happen to re-open the bowl a week after it was installed (ask me how I know).

In that case I suggest you get a new ethanol-proof gasket, rather than use sealer. Also check your float needle and its seat -- maybe your gas leak is due to failure to shut off. Are you sure the leak is coming from the gasket and not the carb throat?