Triumph Repair: Su carb leak 1972 Mk 4 Spitfire 1300, beckarnley, float chamber

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have loved my Spit for 16 years and have had almost no problems. Yesterday I fitted a Powerplus fuel saving unit(wonderful thing!) just prior to the 1st float chamber but I must have knocked or damaged something as the top of the float chamber cover was awash with fuel on test. I can not see any cracks in the cover but on removal of the cover, part of the gasket broke free. Will simply replacing the gasket fix it or have the hose spigots become loose in some way? Would it be easier to simply replace the float chamber cover? Thanks for your help. By the way, if you wish, check out www.powerplus-fuel-technology.com This is the first time I have used this forum (trouble free motoring :)) So thank you in advance. BR John

ANSWER: Hi John,
If that float chamber is flooding it is most likely the needle and seat. Another possible is the float leaks and is full of fuel. The gasket on the top of the float chamber is only for splashing fuel.

As for the fuel saver, let me know if it works because I use to test items like that when I worker for BeckArnley / WorldParts Corp. In the 15 yrs I worked there I never found one that worked.

Howard

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QUESTION: Hello Howard, Thank you for you prompt answer. Sadly and sorry, but I am confused. I am not a mechanic or engineer so please bear with me. The float chamber is full of fuel however the float has not been compromised and shuts off at 0.125in as per the manual and I can not blow through the spigots when the float is in this position also when blowing with the float valve closed, I have put 'spit' around the base of the brass spigots and see no evidence of air escape but it is possible I can not blow at the pressure the fuel system works at. I don't want to replace the whole unit and certainly not the carb. but I think maybe a belt and braces approach would be to replace the float assy. cover as it is already off. Is it simple enough to source this as a unit and necessary in your point of view?
With regard to the powerplus unit, yes I have had positive feedback. A friend has a new Porsche and recently fitted a unit. He was getting 18mpg. Now 22mpg. 4 mpg increase on a high spec car is pretty good. He reports extra power but did not do a rolling road test prior to fit. My old Volvo estate has seen a 13% increase in MPG and the local garage equipment recorded 30% reduction in smoke density. I understand Diesels get a greater reduction in the harmful stuff coming out of the exhaust and unless the 1000s of individuals and companies out there that are recording good results are made up there must be something in it! I must say this sceptic is a convert. As petrol is almost £1.00 a ltr. and with a unit cost of about £70 for the Volvo, a better off sceptic/convert too! I wonder what units you have tested and what results you achieved. I am guessing you are state side. I made a few enquires and have unearthed some interesting info. Apparently there is a UK based company the supplies 1000s of similar units to the USA military. I believe this technology is worth investigating further!
Thanks once again for the info. on our great little spitfire. She is showing her age but once again, 3 weeks ago, passed her MOT with little more than a roll of duck tape, much to the amazement of my friends.
BR
John

Answer
It's good to hear one of those fuel saving devices works. We need it with fuel prices so high. I was always so disappointed with the all the ones I tested.

It sounds like you did all the tests of the float valve and setting. If this is one of those plastic floats that you can see into, if gas has entered the float itself, you could see if it is heavy with fuel, if not hold the float itself (removed) and shake it very fast and listen for a rattle. Any hollow float that gets gas in it will rattle if you shake it hard and fast.

If all that is ok I would not replace anything. It could have been just a piece of trash in the valve to make it over flow. Only other thing I can think of is to check fuel pressure. If fuel pressure is too high it can over power the float valve.
Let me know,
Howard