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Following on from my last thread about successfully repairing my lawnmower, it seems it isn't quite right. I used it yesterday and noticed that there was a leak of fuel coming from where I had just fitted the diaphragm/gasket. No problem I thought, I will whip it back off and re-seat it. 30 minutes later and I had removed it, treble-checked every surface was perfectly clean and free from damage, checked the carb itself for damage (it's plastic so I thought perhaps it had cracked). I then carefully re-assembled it all, taking particular care to fit the five screws slowly and on opposites then restarted it and it was still leaking from the same place (nowhere near as badly as when I first spotted the problem last week, but leaking nonetheless.
The instructions don't mention using any sealing compound (nor was there evidence of any when I removed the original).
Anyone got any ideas about what I may have done wrong and ideas for next steps?
Thank you!
Speaking as a man, who is well versed in man things, I would recommend a good 6 months 'getting around to it'. This always helps.
Standard repair options
Set the fuel on fire
Hit it with a hammer
Spray GT85 on it
Zip tie it
Ignore it
If none of these work then it is clearly beyond economical repair and needs replacing with a more expensive, faster sit on top mower (with integrated beer holder on arm rest)
Gasket joints rely on all the things you mentioned plus the clamp load from the screws to prevent leaks.
Have you done the screws up properly or tight-enough?
You need to set your torx driver to eleventeen. This will ensure you strip the threads on the affore mentioned thus facilitating the Frank Sinatra option.
Or alternatively embrace the leak.
Gasket joints rely on all the things you mentioned plus the clamp load from the screws to prevent leaks.
Have you done the screws up properly or tight-enough?
The first time I put it together I deliberately didn't over-tighten the screws as I wanted to avoid damaging anything (although they were pretty tight as I noticed on first removal that the screws were very firmly fixed). Second time around I tightened them much more (almost to the point I couldn't turn them further). I also tightened each one in turn (on opposites) quite carefully to ensure the surfaces were clamped evenly.
I have read that a small smear of vaseline can help make a good seal.
If fuel's dripping out, my thought would be the float chamber overflowing because the valve's not shutting properly. It's something I have to clean every spring when I start mowing the lawn again. Not sure of the details of a plastic carb; a picture might help?
Switch to using scissors, claim you read in an online journal that it's better for the lawn / environment / economy / warding off badgers carrying covid.
Goes off to the shed with Vaseline..😁
If it makes you feel better, my lawnmower has been running on Super Unleaded for the last 5 years and hasn't had a single service. I expect a smokey/firey death before long
For gaskets to seal the faces need to be clean, really clean, this may help. Vaseline in my experience,e when I have built engines (yes really) was to help get the gasket off when re stripped. (my builds were for oil/ fuel test purposes)
If fuel’s dripping out, my thought would be the float chamber overflowing because the valve’s not shutting properly. It’s something I have to clean every spring when I start mowing the lawn again. Not sure of the details of a plastic carb; a picture might help
Yeah I did wonder this - there seemed to be lots of fuel on the top face of the fuel tank (ie, the machined area when lifting the carb off - as shown at about 2.45 of this video)
It would explain why there was so much fuel spraying out when I first noticed the issue and why, even after very careful refitting, it is still leaking a bit.
I can get a brand new carb for £30 so I might end up doing just that.
Replace the carb?
I did a strimmer a few weeks ago, the price differential between a carb service kit and an entire new preassembled carb was about three quid.
Those 2 springs, do they actually do anything?
I managed to mangle mine a few months ago. Mower still runs ok it seems.... Replacing them is dropping down my list of jobs to do.
For some reason this thread reminds of when I have rebuilt somethng and ended up with a small part or two left over.
a small part or two left over
The expression you require, caller, is "Pocket Screw(s)"
Well known to those of us who in our younger days were rather less than skilled in taking apart and re-assembling all sorts of things. Including our dad's hifi. Somehow it kept on working in spite of the leftover pocket screws.
Or the 'Busted!' evidence...I used to take everything apart just to see how things worked. Had been doing it for ages and my gf was completely oblivious. Until she did some hoovering and scooped up a spring. I took a look and instantly knew what it came off and announced I knew about it - she then found out I'd disassembled almost everything electrical in the house - nothing broke, but she wasn't happy.
Wasn't as angry as when she discovered our bathroom was showroom clean as I washed my bike in the bath and flushed the mud down the toilet (and 1 time forgot to flush so mud and some ferns were left as evidence!!!).
@neilnevill - they do sort of, but based on the work one, the tolerances are pretty wide
sorry OP, can't help but say that the work one has been on and off several times whilst changing primer bulbs (cheap tat) and have reused the original gasket without issue.
Would possibly work better if it said 'Honda' on the engine, although they have finer tolerances and don't like sticks stuck in springs.
Re: springs - I somehow broke off one of mine when running the mower under a hedge a few years ago and it immediately stopped the engine running properly (in fact it was the first thing I checked when it started playing up recently). It was fine when replaced. Watching the engine ticking over you can clearly see how they work even though they don’t seem to have much tension in them.
moooohahahahahahahaha, it good to fix things! even better (in a way) after a heap of frustration. This thread had reminded me I'd bought a service kit at the end of last year as I'd had to clean the little chamber in the top of the tank out to get the mower to work and had noticed the diaphragm past its best. So after a run over the lawn to warm the oil I drained the old (eeeuk! LONG over due!) topped up with fresh SAE80, then replaced the diaphragm and gasket, cleaning the chamber yet again. Poo,, wont pick up fuel...not a whiff. off again and clean the chamber (where does the grime come from!) back on and just hold the carb down by hand, don't bother putting back on the mower, just press the primer to see if it picks up fuel...no. repeat...no...repeat..no..get frustrated, put mower away, go eat. Check you tube (above video)...ahh...hmm...probable mistake spotted its back to the garage, disassemble and...Oh yes! it does help to get the diaphragm and gasket the right way around! primer picked up fuel first push and mower started first pull, runs super smooth now, probably also helped by straightening out and reinstalling my mangled spring.
When it fired into life my frustration turned to elation in an instant. moohahahahahahaha!