Carburetor on a boat question...

[wlgorman]

Alright, my boat has been sitting for a few months. I usually have to clean the carbs every 6 months or so (even with an inline filter/separator). Took it out yesterday and it was leaking fuel. Isolated the problem to the bottom carb. Cleaned it (bottom carb float valve gunked up) and put back together, still leaking.

If I blow through the fuel inlet/nipple and hold the float in the closed position with my hand, air can get through, but if I push up on the actual NEEDLE, it seals where air cannot get through. Is this normal? Shouldnt it be sealing completely? A buddy who is a dirtbike junky said to bend the little metal ear that the pin sits on so that the float pin sits higher but IDK if I want to do that.

Im just trying to figure out if I can fix the carb without buying new parts.

Did I mention that I hate carburetors?

[sailor]

I have a 50 horse "Force" doing the exact same thing.
Come to find out,it's the seals around the nut holding the bowl on.
Probably,this crappy gas destroying seals.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

[True Texan]

It might be a small peice of trash on the seat, or maybe just need to change that needle and/or seat gasket all together.

[bearintex]

Blue Stabil is your friend.......

[Roy D Mercer]

Blue Stabil is your friend.......

in every tank Ethanol is the devil

[expressfish]

usually the needle has a black rubber tip, they wont seat right once they swell up or get hard. Best thing to do is replace the needle. The float should be sitting level with the carb body in the closed position or bowl side upside down if that makes any sense. Yes the needle should be shutting off the fuel supply once the bowl fills with fuel. I always replace the needle and seats when doing rebuilds, prevents customer comebacks.