Ethyl Alcohol causes Carb Neddle Valve to stick

My Cj6 (Dauntless powered) was running A-OK for a number of months on a new Rochester 2G. But one afternoon it just died in traffic and would not start. The Behaior of the engine fuel problem was unlike anything I had ever seen-- so I got on the phone and some carb pros told me to check for a clogged carb. After a long testing--- the diagnosis is that the rubber that tips the needle valve for the carb bowl sticks due to the addition of Ethanol in the gasoline. The Ethanol makes the needle valve sticky—and no gas was passing into the carb bowl. Obviously this causes the engine to stop running-- This happened 2 months ago after everywhere here in Oregon switched to Ethel Alcohol additives in the gasoline.

So I took the carb off and apart to put in a new needle valve— this fixed the problem at first---but two weeks later—the Jeep stalled in traffic not to start again. This as you can imagine is very distressful-- and dangerous. I tryed changing the mechanical fuel pump and the Jeep engine ran again for about two weeks and again stalled not to start. I trouble shot the mechanical fuel pump to discover it would only deliver about ½ pound of pressure (instead of the required 3 pounds).

I had an old Carter model 4070 Electric Fuel pump that I have kept around for years--- and wired it and ran new hoses.
Now the Jeep runs because the 4070 puts out about 4 to 5 pounds of fuel pressure.

But that old used rusty and beat-up Electric pump is very noisy---sounds like a rock crusher. It vibrates the Tub even when double mounted on double rubber pads. Maybe I just need a new one. But I was amazed that it seems to be the cure.

So watch out for the Ethanol in the gasoline.

In the process of all of these events, called a number of Carb shops around the USA for advise, One shop in Missouri edycated ne all about how the Ethanol was dissolving the rubber parts in Carburetor fueled engines. Airplanes and Boats represent the worst situation for this to happen. But one place claimed that they are going to make rubberless needle valves to try and fix the problem. Next they said was that the Ethanol makes the mechanical fuel pump diaphragms soft and loose pressure—too-- which complicates the situation. WOW what a situation-- the gasoline may wreak thousands of older carburetor fueled cars all across the USA!

Anyone else have this problem? How did you cope?

Thanks,

SRR

 

Re: Ethel Alcohol causes Carb Neddle Valve to stick

not carb parts but I was using a large syringe to fill a carb on my bike with gas last week and it took about an hour to disolve a hole in the rubber plunger of the syringe and put a hole in it. I have used these same syringes years ago for the same purpose without a problem...

 

Re: Ethel Alcohol causes Carb Neddle Valve to stick

Silicone is the solution.

 

Re: Ethel Alcohol causes Carb Neddle Valve to stick

Thanks for the report SR. I've had a few mysterious cases of no start due to empty float bowl but I haven't used alcohol at all (well, in the Jeep).

I think this situation may also apply for the alcohol based antifreeze fuel additives (Heet). Which leads into the discussion of Yellow Heet vs RedHeet . . . .

 

Re: Ethel Alcohol causes Carb Neddle Valve to stick

Setup the Jeep for ethanol. Can't get anything else around here.

 

Re: Ethel Alcohol causes Carb Neddle Valve to stick

How does one do this?

 

Neoprene seals and such.
Basicly take all the rubber out of the system.

I have set Chia up for ethanol, now to put her together. I did think of running Chia on of E100 for a while which would have ment some serious mods, like high compression motor jetting and such.

What is kinda interesting I am sure many members are running E10 but you don't hear about these problems all the time.

 

I have read on other forums that the ethanol is also causing issues with the rubber fuel lines. Sticky, black gunk is collecting in the fuel tanks and clogging the systems in various ways.

 

Yea--

I even noticed how my rubber fuel hoses get rock hard, and how the paper element in my clear gas filter turns very dark colored right a way.

I heard tha Holly carbs have alternative needle valves and gaskets and accelerator pump materials to run Alcohol for Nitro fuel. But I have not heard of any alternative parts for Rochester carbs.

Anyone have other suggestings for adapting the overall fuel system to run to ETOH (Ethanol).

If you do please say so!


BTW here is a related WWW site http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/id32.html