How to Repair a Carburetor Leaking Gas
by William Machin
Several things cause a carburetor to leak gas. A loose fuel line connection is easy to correct by tightening the connection at the carburetor. If the leak persists, the connection fitting is probably bad and it may be time to replace the fuel line. Another cause of a gas leak is a sticking float inside the carburetor bowl. This forces gas out of the sides of the bowl. If gasoline is dripping in the throat of the carburetor, the problem is most likely a ball check valve inside the carburetor body. In most cases, rebuilding the carburetor can repair a carburetor leaking gas.
Step 1
Obtain the correct rebuild kit for your carburetor. Refer to the model and year of the car when selecting the kit. Some carburetors have a metal tag with the carburetor model number. These numbers help to obtain a kit with the correct gaskets and components.
Step 2
Remove the air cleaner from the carburetor. Use an open-end wrench to remove the fuel line fitting from the carburetor body. Pull the end of line out of the carburetor. Disconnect the throttle linkage by loosening the keeper screw on the linkage with a screwdriver. Remove any other linkage or choke wires from the carburetor. Use a socket and ratchet to remove the nuts on the intake manifold studs at the base of the carburetor. Lift the carburetor off the manifold and take it to a workbench.
Step 3
Use a screwdriver to remove the bowl at the underside of the carburetor body. Remove the bowl and empty any residual gasoline into a container. Lift the float out of the bowl and set it aside. Remove the bowl gasket and discard it.
Step 4
Remove the idle jet and main jet from the inside of the carburetor body with a screwdriver and discard them. Use a screwdriver to remove the idle adjustment screw from the side of the body and set it aside. Move to a well-ventilated area and clean the bowl and carburetor body with spray carburetor cleaner to dissolve lacquer deposits. Wipe the deposits away with a rag.
Step 5
Refer to the instructions that came with the rebuild kit and replace the provided jets, ball check valves and springs into the proper ports in the carburetor body. Replace the float into the bowl, put the new bowl gasket on the rim of the bowl, and reattach the bowl to the carburetor.
Step 6
Thread the idle adjustment screw clockwise into the side of the body and tighten it until it seats. Turn the screw out 1 1/2 turns counterclockwise as the initial setting. The idle is adjusted to the correct setting while the engine is running.
Step 7
Place the provided gasket on the intake manifold. Replace the carburetor on the intake manifold and tighten the nuts. Reconnect the throttle linkage. Reattach the fuel line and other lines or wires that were detached.
References
Tips
- If the rebuild did not repair the gas leak, consult a qualified mechanic.
Things You'll Need
- Carburetor rebuild kit
- Open-end wrench
- Socket and ratchet
- Screwdriver
- Spray carburetor cleaner
- Rags
Writer Bio
William Machin began work in construction at the age of 15, while still in high school. In 35 years, he's gained expertise in all phases of residential construction, retrofit and remodeling. His hobbies include horses, motorcycles, road racing and sport fishing. He studied architecture at Taft Junior College.
