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Mike Napoli
New member
Username: bigbamboo
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2010
| | Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 02:25 pm: | 
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I can't tell you how relieved I was to find this site along with the wealth of knowledge here!
I have a Palmer P60 in my Columbia 43 and it's been reliable to date. Recently I've experienced a similar issue noted in previous posts. (Carb flooding) In searching these posts, it has been noted that the float valve/seat/needle and float itself are the likely culprits.
Following the advice, I have cleaned and polished, tested the float, adjusted it's angle all to no avail. Then I just bought a new carb and installed yesterday....same thing!
There is a carb angle wedge in place and as mentioned before the motor was running fine until it was not. 
Also on the new carb adjustment: Following the carb adjustment for the P60 in the Gravely Tractor site, I adjusted the mixture 2 1/4 turns from seated and the idle 1 1/2 from seated.
I do not have the scavenger tube so the fuel will just drip out of the intake after a few attempts to start. Unable to get it running at any choke/throttle adjustment.
If I apply no throttle the engine will not even attempt to fire. If I apply 1/4 throttle she will try to start but no such luck getting her running.
With fuel pouring out of the carb, I cannot think of any better reason for it not to run than flooding.
Any and all suggestion will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Mike |
J.B. Castagnos
Senior Member
Username: jb_castagnos
Post Number: 543
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 08:00 pm: |
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If both carbs are flooding I would check fuel pressure, don't know the specs but would guess four lbs would be plenty. Also be sure the fuel filter is good and not letting trash through. A small piece of trash under the needle will let it flood and once it floods the float will hold the trash there. Shut the fuel off, see if you can get it started, let it run until out of fuel. Once the float drops the incoming fuel will wash trash from the needle. |
B Sidaway
Visitor
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 12:00 pm: |
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I had similar problems. If there is fuel coming out of the air intake there must be gas getting past the needle valve attached to the float. Two causes - the float is not rising enough. I had a leaking float. When I took the carb apart I could hear gas in the float when I shook it. Alternatively the needle might not be fitting well due to wear in the rubber tip (that happened to me too) - get a replacement from Moyer Marine. Or there is a spec of dirt in the valve. I have had this problem too. I tested this by taking the carb off and turning it upside down so gravity should close the float valve, then blow with your mouth into the gas inlet to the carb. You should not be able to blow any air in (contrast with the carb in the upright position). If you can then the valve is bad. Thoroughly clean carb with aerosol carb cleaner from auto store and polish valve seat with the end of a match stick. This continues to be a problem with the ethanol in gas as it loosens the 30 yrs of crud in the bottom of the tank. I have added disposable paper filters between the original fuel filter and the pump and the pump and the carb to try to prevent this. Good luck, let us know what you find. Ben. |
Mike Napoli
New member
Username: bigbamboo
Post Number: 2
Registered: 06-2010
| | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 11:47 pm: |
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Thanks everyone for the great advice. As of late, I've inquired of the local marine engine guru in our marina. He was familiar with the Palmer and asked if it leaked out of the carb with the key (fuel pump) on and then if it leaked after I tried to start it. I replied it didn't leak when the key was on but only after I tried to start it.
I felt like a numbskull after he explained to me that because it is an updraft carb, if it doesn't start reasonably soon it WILL drip out of the carb because there is not enough suction draw from the engine. Never thought of it at the time but now reasoning rings clear. After that I decided to check the ignition, starting with the spark plugs and found they were fouled. Changed the spark plugs after visiting 5 auto parts stores. Fired up...sputter, sputter, sputter and finally began to idle. Adjusted the idle screw and got a better idle.
Put it in gear and couldn't get it up to rpm. Throttled back and tried again and finally was able to attain 3200 under load. I felt pretty good but was hearing significant backfiring so I throttled back down and tried to adjust the distributor. Didn't really notice any significant improvement. I guess fully advanced gave me best rpms for throttle setting and left it at that. Since then I haven't been able to bring it past 1600 under load. Exasperated, I pulled the spark plugs and noted 1 and 2 were clean but 3 and 4 were dry and sooty after only 30 minutes of run time.
As of now my course of action is: 1) change distributor cap, rotor, points and condenser 2) test cylinder compression and hope for the best.
Any other ideas, experiences or suggestions will be warmly received!
Thanks again for the wisdom of your experience.
Mike |
Ernie
Senior Member
Username: ernie
Post Number: 1220
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - 08:43 pm: |
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Sounds like the main jet is too lean or if it isn't adjustable has something in it. If it is adjustable adjust it under load for good running and no backfire when accelerating. Out is rich. If it isn't adjustable remove it and clean it with small wire or a tooth pick. Be carefull not to break the tip of the tooth pick off in it.
Hope this helps
Ernie |
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