1980 Merc 115, lower carb flooding...

[Corjen1]

Hello All, Question for you....After I first installed this motor and was doing water trials with the boat on the trailer, backed down the ramp into the lake, I noticed that the lower carb was leaking fuel out of it. (throat) So I disconnected the bayonet , spun the motor over to clear out the excess fuel. Re connected and it starte/ran no issues. Shut it down and the lower carb starts drooling fuel out of it again. Disconnected the bayonet again.

OK since then, I have ran the motor many times, it runs great, idles fine, accelerates, no problems. When we shut down to swim or just hang out, the lower carb will start drooling fuel. So I have taken to just disconnecting the bayonet. Hook it back up when it time to go.

Does this sound like a weak needle/float spring to you or a worn needle seat?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Roger S.]

My top carb was doing the same thing. Pulled the top off the bowl and the float was full of gas and couldn't float. Give that a shot. Easy to check.

 

[Corjen1]

Thanks, appreciate it!

 

[jimmbo]

A very tiny speck of dirt could be keeping the float needle from closing, allowing the fuel in the lines to drain through the bottom carb

 

[Texasmark]

Before you remove the carb(s) from the engine, drop the bowl and raise the float to where it's parallel with the carb casting, mating plate (where the bottom casting mates), while squeezing the bulb. If you can't stop the flow of gas, or if the bulb will not get firm, you are leaking gas somewhere. Then check the float. They get waterlogged (absorb fuel) over time.