Johnson 130 leaking carb

[trobinson017]

This is related to another thread I started about water in my gas tank.

Ok, after all these recent cold spells and work interruptions I've gotten back to working on my boat and the starting problem. Today I pumped all the water out of my tank. Then I pumped the gas out of each carb float bowl until clear. After I did the lowest one I moved on up the stack, draining each. On the second to the top one while pumping the bulb I noticed gas dripping from the lowest one. I double-checked the drain plug and it was tight. I pumped some more and noted the gas seems to be leaking from the gasket between the float bowl and carb body at the front side of the carb. I cleaned up all the gas and let the engine area dry out for about an hour. I realize now this was probably not a good idea but.....I went ahead and started the engine. It started and ran fine, very strong. But I could see gas dripping from that one carb, so I shut it down immediately. I won't run it again until I get the leaking resolved. My thought is the gasket is blown. I've never dealt with an outboard carb. Is it something I can fix myself or should I call my mechanic? Money is tight right now so if I can do it myself without major difficulties that would be best. Or, do you all think it might be something else that is allowing the leakage?

Appreciate all the help so far very much!!

 

[ezeke]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

You can do it youself, but you should buy a new gasket. You will need to establish that the mating surface of the float bowl is level before replacing it. I find that placing it on a piece of plate glass will make it easier to see if the bowl is bowed.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

I just went out and rechecked the carbs. The gasket is not what's leaking. The gas is coming from a little hole in the front of the carb just below the air intake part. Again, I don't know enough about carbs to know what is causing that. Can anyone educate me? I'd love to be able to get out on the water today. First good boating day in months!

 

[James R]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

Unless it is excessive it is not a problem. Could be the needle and seat needs replacing or the float height is not set correctly. If these motors are tilted forward they leak fuel. when you pump them.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

"Unless its excessive it's not a problem?????" Leaking fuel is ALWAYS a problem. A leaking carb needs to be disassembled, thoroughly cleaned, reassembled with a new kit, float level properly set, and then checked to make sure the needle and seat is working properly. This can be checked before attaching the float bowl by blowing into the fuel inlet fitting with the carb upside down. If you can blow air through it, you did something wrong. If not, it is sealing properly and all that's needed before final assembly is verification of float level.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

Unless it is excessive it is not a problem. Could be the needle and seat needs replacing or the float height is not set correctly. If these motors are tilted forward they leak fuel. when you pump them.

What would excessive be ???
Fuel leak is a fuel leak to me. and should be addressed before venturing out on to open water again.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

You should not have any gas leaking inside of the engine cowl; that's a good way to ruin a vacation. If the float bowl leaks, take the bowl off and seal the hole with something like JB weld.

 

[klrbruce]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

Sounds like the float needle and seat have some junk in it, brobably in there from the draining and water issue. Float needle is not seating in the seat properly letting the bowl overfill and flow out the atmospheric vent hole. The hole is there to equalize air pressure in bowl and outside air. If it is the atmospheric vent and you plug it vacume will build in bowl and fuel will not flow up the venturi tubes.(carb won't work). If leak is from crack that is not supposed to be there then it does need to be repaired.

 

[James R]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

We have all experienced a slight show of fuel at the mouth of a carb. Those who are not familiar with this may think that it is a major problem. If the fuel is 'running' out then the remedy has already been stated.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

Sounds like the float needle and seat have some junk in it, brobably in there from the draining and water issue. Float needle is not seating in the seat properly letting the bowl overfill and flow out the atmospheric vent hole. The hole is there to equalize air pressure in bowl and outside air. If it is the atmospheric vent and you plug it vacume will build in bowl and fuel will not flow up the venturi tubes.(carb won't work). If leak is from crack that is not supposed to be there then it does need to be repaired.

Thanks for this info, Klrbruce! Very good explanation of what is probably occurring. Now I can recall that there was what appeared to be fine sediment coming out of the float drain plug when I was clearing the fouled gas from each carb. So that makes sense that the float needle is gummed up. And now I know why those holes are there and will have a clue in the future if I ever see gas coming out of one. Great explanation!! Thanks!!!

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

I need some advice on how to remove the one carb that is leaking. I'm going to try and post a picture of the carb with notes on it. I've been able to remove two bolts that attach the carb (black) to the manifold (gray/silver). The other two bolts are indented in the front body of the carb. There's no clearance around them to get a socket on. How the heck am I supposed to get the out so I can separate the carb from the manifold??

TIA!!!

 

[ezeke]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

You need a thin wall socket or it will be tedious.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

Thanks for the info, ezeke. I did get the bolts off and it was, indeed, tedious. I was able to grab a bit of the bolt head by tilting the socket a lot. A full two turns brought them out enough to get a full grasp of the heads. No damage done to the heads. I now have the carb on my workbench ready for a rebuild tomorrow during our cruddy, stormy weather.

Thanks again!!!

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Johnson 130 leaking carb

Well, thanks to you all who contributed to this thread, I have successfully rebuilt my first marine carburetor!! I took it slow and easy, following the engine manual I have even tho it doesn't show my exact carb model. But it's close enough that I was able clean it, mount the new float and needle and test it for proper function. Then followed the pictures to reassemble it. I was nervous firing up the motor afterward but it cranked right up with NO LEAKAGE!! WooHOO!!! The motor seems to run just a bit rough so I probably need to adjust something on the carb. Will consult the glorious manual!

The first question that came to my mind after everything appeared to be running fine was, how would I know if I didn't rebuild the carb properly and something was amiss? Would the engine misfire? Would it not run? Would it be super rough? I'd like some education on that point.

But, again, THANK YOU to all of you that contributed to this thread!! iboats.com forum members are the BEST!!!