Floats Sticking - How to UN-Stick them...

brianmerc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
140
I have a 76 merc with 3 carbs... possible sticking floats.<br /><br />What can you use to keep the floats from sticking?<br /><br />Thanks.
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: Floats Sticking - How to UN-Stick them...

Allthough there is a chance they are sticking, the probability is that the needles and seats need replacing. They finally get to where they will not seal when the carb is full of gas and it will overflow and run fuel all over. Can cause a fire, so do not run the engine untill you get it fixed. The carbs are simple, and not hard to rebuild yourself, just buy a manual, buy the kits, read, read, read the manual, clean a spot on your work bench and put an old sheet over it, buy some carb cleaner that will not harm plastic if your carbs have plastic peices, and clean them, blow out all orfices,and reassemble according to the manual.
 

DHPMARINE

Captain
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Messages
3,688
Re: Floats Sticking - How to UN-Stick them...

Brianmerc,usually merc carbs leak gas because the needles leak when first taken out of storage.After a short time,the needles swell up and the leakage stops.<br /> If your needles are stuck,and won't allow fuel into the carbs,that's a different problem.<br /><br /> Either way,time to rebuildthe carbs.<br />DHP
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,638
Re: Floats Sticking - How to UN-Stick them...

On my 84 115 the floats were always getting stuck allowing the carb to flood. Smetimes gently tapping the float bowls unstuck them, other times I had to remove the cover on the bowl and work it free.
 
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