what are reeds???

[Rscardina]

Just wondering what reeds are and what function they serve?

Also wondering if they can be a problem in how the engine runs or acts...obviously if they break I assume that is not good...

Thanks

 

[F_R]

Re: what are reeds???

Reeds are thin strips of metal acting as flapper valves between the carburetor and the crankcase of the motor. They spring open to allow air and fuel to enter the motor on the piston's upstroke, but slap shut to prevent air and fuel from blowing back out on the downstroke.

They are extremely reliable and rarely give trouble with today's materials. But if broken or have trash under one, it won't run on that cylinder.

 

[cobbcfi]

Re: what are reeds???

My Johnson 225 has fuel/oil, mostly oil looking spitting out of the bottom left carb on the 6-pack.. Is my reed shot? Can it be cleaned without removing the carb?

 

[Rscardina]

Re: what are reeds???

Reeds are thin strips of metal acting as flapper valves between the carburetor and the crankcase of the motor. They spring open to allow air and fuel to enter the motor on the piston's upstroke, but slap shut to prevent air and fuel from blowing back out on the downstroke.

They are extremely reliable and rarely give trouble with today's materials. But if broken or have trash under one, it won't run on that cylinder.

What are the most common symptons of a bad reed or drity etc...??? I guess what i am asking is how would you know?

 

[tedious]

Re: what are reeds???

My Johnson 225 has fuel/oil, mostly oil looking spitting out of the bottom left carb on the 6-pack.. Is my reed shot? Can it be cleaned without removing the carb?

It's quite likely the reed is shot, or something is keeping it from sealing properly. You cannot replace or inspect it without removing the carb(s).

Tim

 

[tedious]

Re: what are reeds???

What are the most common symptons of a bad reed or drity etc...??? I guess what i am asking is how would you know?

The cylinder with the bad reed is not getting its share of fuel/air mixture. This could result in a variety of performance problems, and eventually a damaged cylinder. If you do have a bad reed, you'll be getting some mixture blowing back through the carb; that may or may not be noticeable depending on the configuration of your intake silencer.

To check, just remove the intake silencer, start 'er up, and look for the mess!

Tim

 

[Rscardina]

Re: what are reeds???

thanks Tim,

I was wondering becasue i'm currently going through my engine and have some some odd issues that have pointed to the feul pump. Hoever, the botom set of carbs on my V4 seem to have oil/mix running back and creating a pool in the silencer. Also when I throttle I had seem what apeared to be a mist come out..but nothing too bad and certainly not constant..so I was curious if it was carb related or deeper.

I plan on taking the carbs off and looking back at the reeds to see if there is any damage.

Would bad reeds make the engine act differently on muffs v in a water bath?

 

[bob johnson]

Re: what are reeds???

are you guys sure it is a bad reed that causes oil to run out of the carbs??

I thought it was just evaporated gas leaving the 2 stroke oil behind and the liquid running back out of the carb when tilted and catching in the airbox..

I was told the hole and hose in the airbox at the bottom was specifically there to drain this fluid off and back into the block!!!


bob