Sticky float valve

[Maclab58]

In the last 4 days I have had my float valve stick in the closed position, stalling my car. 3 times today alone in the July 4th parade! I run a modern float valve in a stock zenith sidebowl carb. Is it the ethanol softening the tip of the valve causing it to stick? I haven't used gas treatments before but I'm beginning to wonder if I need to start!!!!!!!

[Purdy Swoft]

I've had the viton tip needles stick closed, thats why I no longer use them. I blamed it on the alky-rub gas . Now that I can get good gas, I'm still running the original style float valve. With the original style setup, if it sticks either way, I can simply tap on the carb and usually solve the problem. With the modern style tipped needle the carburetor may need some disassembly and cussing. With good gas, there will probably never be a problem with the viton tipped needle sticking closed unless it sits for a long time.

[Maclab58]

I drive my car a lot, I did a 90 mile club outing last Saturday. I think I will order and original style valve and try that if this one sticks again.

[Kurt in NJ]

Look at the float where it touches the needle ---is it worn there---could the wear catch and jam the needle.
---perhaps the needle has sharp square edge also that catches the float

Last time I put a new needle and seat in it leaked---i put a used original one in and no more problems

[jetrod]

Nothing but bad luck with the new "improved" valve. Use the old one and burnish it.

[MikeK]

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Viton is a bag of worms. A DuPont trademark, they define 8 grade categories, with multiple formulations in each. Only two, grades "F" and "GFLT" are rated for low fuel permeation (swell resistance) and use with alcohol blend fuels. Many 'Viton' valves fail because they are made with cheaper, wrong, or knock-off fluoroelastomer blends from other manufacturers. If it is an OEM needle from a current (alcohol blend fuel era) carburetor manufacturer the right stuff is used. ANY other aftermarket supplied 'Viton' needle is a crap-shoot.

I don't like the grosse-jet type either. On rare occasion they can get their balls in a knot. When they do work (99.9+% of the time) their steel-to-brass seat is as drip tight as a steel pin valve and they do not suffer rust particle embedment like polymer tip valves. I'll stick with a burnished and properly seated steel pin/brass seat valve. Fine rust particles cannot imbed and no worry about which Viton was used. Both Tom W and I have posted in the past about fixing original style steel pin valves. They reliably seal drip-tight and do not stick or glue themselves to the seat if left for an extended time.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

"BALLS IN A KNOT"!!---Now, thet's FUNNY & I haven't even had COFFEE yet!
Bill W.
(Buster T. DIDN'T get it???)