Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Hi

I have a very small carburetor leaking (fee drops/day). I have read many threads and I know what will be the steps to follow to find the cause.

I also think that my gas shutoff valve probably is not closing as it has to.

Because the car is running very well as it is now, I would like to leave the carburetor work for the winter season. When car is not driven.

In the meantime, this is my question:

Is it good or bad to park the car, close the shutoff valve and allowed the engine to used the gas left in the carburetor?

I drive the car every week. I would do that for the overnight or full week parking only.

This could also help me to identify if my shutoff valve is not working well. I assume that, if after the carburetor was emptied, then start to leak, means that gas went to it during the week as a consequence of a faulty gas shutoff valve.

Thank you !!!

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

You can rebuild the carb and shutoff at the same time, as well as the fuel filter on the firewall. Drain the tank into a couple gas cans. While you have the shutoff valve out replace the pencil filter as well.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Thank you !! I will do that during winter time. In the meantime:

can I park the car with the carburetor empty of gas ?

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

I got in the habit when the gasoline would gook up the tip of jets when sitting a week or few, stock carb, fuel system---- in the 10 years I have been doing it no problems---- the zenith is the easiest carb to clean, work on, rarely is problem in upper half after proper restoration, I just removed lower on the car, easy to check float operations, fuel flow--- the gas line is still connected

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

I shut my gas off and let it idle till just starts to spit, then I turn off key. I do it not only because my carb does the same as yours but as a safety precaution. Been doing for quite a while and have no problems. Just have to remember to let carb fill up (1 minute) before starting up again.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Thank you very much for letting me know that there is no negative effects of doing that. Iwill do the same.

Best !!

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

I religiously shut off the gas and let the engine die. I do that every time I know it will be awhile til I drive it again. Also every winter I take the carb off, check ball valve and float, and spray the whole thing out w/carb cleaner. Really keeps car running smoothly.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

I do this with all of my small engines as well. Even with non ethanol gas I do this with engines on sprayers, mowers,,,,,,,. Works well with n negative results that I've seen.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

I don't have a leaky carb but after each use I shut off the gas valve and let it idle for a minute or so before turning off the motor; then I turn off the battery power creating a two way safety buffer. Never had a problem starting the car the next time.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

When checking for leaks additionally check the inside bottom of the air intake with your finger, sometimes leaks are so slow it evaporates and you do not see it.


As said above no harm in running the bowl dry.


If you want to check for leaks - if the carb leaks with the fuel shutoff off, then the shutoff and the carb float valve may both be leaking. If it leaks from the weep hole in the air intake and does not stop over long time, you have both issues. If it leaks a little and stops, possible it is just the carb, and leaks until the gas line has drained into the carb bowl due to the leak.


How to tell? Turn off the fuel valve, drain the carb by removing the drain bolt, allow to sit for a while so it is completely drained, then put a small container (small jar/soup can/etc.) with a tissue or piece of paper in the bottom and leave overnight. Then check it. If there is gas in the container or the paper/tissue is stained your fuel valve is leaking.


Fix the fuel valve. Then fix the carb if it leaks when the fuel valve is left on overnight.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

If you have an early car with the shutoff inside, when you drain the tank be aware that not all the fuel will come out until you unscrew the shutoff valve. Then about another pint or so will come out all over your floor mats if you don't have something ready to catch it.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Thank you all for your suggestions and sharing your experience!!!

I just started the car, let it run for a few minutes, close the shutoff valve and let engine die.

Then, open the valve and wait 1 minute, as suggested. Car started without any issue.

I repeated the process and let it now with the carburetor empty.

Tomorrow I will check if I have a leak. If I have one, that will mean that the shutoff valve is not good either.

Let's see. I will report back tomorrow.

Now is time to go to my Model A club meeting and continue learning from the experts, and have some nice coffee with cookies :-)

Thank you all again !!!!!

Ps: Yes, I do have a Tudor 1929 with the shutoff inside.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

\Put an electric fuel shut-off solenoid on it and forget about it. JMO
Paul in CT

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Me too... Chap

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Had the same problem. In an effort to troubleshoot, ran a plastic tube from the sediment bowl to a plastic bottle and left it overnight with the valve closed. Had about two ounces of fuel in the bottle by the next morning. A new valve from Bratton's fixed the problem. Removing the valve is a no-brainer but be aware about a cup of fuel will drain out of the empty tank when the valve is unthreaded. Recommend teflon tape on the valve threads when installing, and also install a new pencil filter on the valve. Good luck.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Make sure that you use gasoline resistant tape.

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

After 24 hours, gas filled the carburetor. That means the shutoff valve is not closing correctly.

I will change the valve, but for now I will make it simple. I have ordered the following.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...psxvatp9cn.jpg

Thank you all for the comments. From now on I will park the car with the carburetor empty and will stay in that way with the new valve.

Best !!

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Thank you !!

I do have the gasoline resistant yellow teflon tape. I am also using SealAll.

Best

Re: Gas Shutoff/empty carburetor for overnight/long term parking.
 

Jack up the car and place jack stands on the passenger side of the car so it is higher so as to get the last bit of gasoline away from the fuel valve before you remove it.