Float height, one more time!

Hi guys,

I am setting the heights of my floats, there was a thread on it:

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... art=0.html

What I have now, is a thing that measures 13/16" (20.5mm), I am setting it as in this picture (from that thread):



I did this by bending the little thing between the floats, right above the float needle.

My main concern is that this is how you measure it, from lip (where the gasket actually sits, except it is not there), to the top of the 2 float things, with the carbs sitting in the position showed in that picture. The reason why I ask, is because ALL of my floats are WAY out, when compared to this. I notice how this one is angled (and when I measure my 'newly adjusted ones,' they are too) in the picture, towards the hinge pillars, whereas all 4 of mine were flat, COMPLETELY flat, horizontal, no angle, none.

Now I have made them all so they are 20.5mm from the bottom.

Did I do the right thing?

-Matt

 

Mine were flat too and I had issues. Correctly adjusted they sit at an angle.

I measured to the top of the float - I have seen reference to the mold line. I have also seen the 13/16s recently. The service manual says 17.5 mm.

Without starting a big debate I can tell you this. I measured mine exactly as you show to 17.5mm and was very close using the tube test for level. The ones I had to readjust I noticed I was not as careful in setting the height.

It's not hard to go with what you have and test using the tube. Get one right then measure and set the rest the same.

 

How do you do the tube test?

 

There are some good pictures but basically put the bowl on and let fill with gas( need to have the carbs attached to a gas source of some kind). Attach a clear tube to the nipple on the bowl. Let the tube form a 'U' shape with the top above the carb gasket level. Open the carb bowl drain and allow the tube to fill with gas. It will seek it's own level. You are looking for the level to be about 3mm below the top of the bowl.

I'll see if I can dig up a good pic...

 

The nipple which is near the drain screw?

 

Yup in the front of the bowl - faces rear of bike when installed. Can't find the good pic of the process.

By the way some carbs only have a hole and no nipple

I just noticed that was my pic I thought it was yours

 

yes..oh you beat me

 

Having just done this, I came up with some short cuts. Follow the manual up to the tube test: when ready, you can just push the carbs back into the boots, (to the heads), connect a tube to the nipple of the first carb you choose. Open the needle valve, with a funnel, poor gas in to fill it up until the needle valve shuts it off, or it runs out the carb mouth. Check the level as per the manual.
Take the carbs out, open the bowl you just tested, check the distance from the metal were it meets a float to the carb serface just below it, check both sides. Was the gas spilling out the mouth during the test? Lower the floats 2-3mm. Did the carb test as correct? Set all the other carb floats to match. Be sure each float of a pair is set to match.

 

You are measuring correctly.

Set the slide on your scale to 17.5mm and set the floats so they just reach it.

Be sure the springs in the float valves aren't compressing when you do the test. You may need to angle the carbs to keep the weight of the floats from pushing them down (although I haven't had this issue with an XJ).

 

So I did the measurement, making sure the valves aren't compressing, looks pretty promising. I put them back on the bike, both sides (both boots) looks like the level is down about 3mm from the top (at least on #4, and that also depends on which side of the bowl you're measuring, the side with the nipple is higher than the side without... and the bike's on the centre-stand), they were all measured similarly when I had them off.

All of this being said, I am finding that I am trying to turn-over the bike (w/o plug-leads on), and all of the plugs are bone dry. I BELIEVE, I have had this problem in the past; when it's sat for a long time, sometimes I have had trouble starting it. That being said, I can take the carbs back off to check for any breakages, but I don't expect to find any, since they were just off.

What am I looking at here? No gas to any plugs/ bone dry! (choke full/off, throttle full/off / combination of any) ... why do you think?

Edit:

I guess I should add that I specifically bought welding tip cleaners to clean out the siphon tubes for the enrichment circuit (I think that's what draws from the bottom of the bowl?), and I would say I did a thorough cleaning.

 

with the choke off and no throttle at cranking speed i wouldn't expect to see wet plugs, maybe you could smell gas on the plug, but there shouldn't be much gas going in like that
if you put the choke on, then the plugs will get wet

 

Well, I've got a problem then. Choke on, not wet

 

fuel valve on prime ?

 

Yep, fuel valve on prime

 

I'm unable to fathom why you're trying to fuel foul your plugs.

Put the plug wires on and see if it starts (fully charged battery, it won't fire if even a bit low).

If not, you need to go back to those enrichment wells. The bore at the bottom of the well gets narrower than you see at the top. You should be able to shine a light at the lower hole and see a spot of light looking down from the top. If not, they're not clean.

 

silly question
the enrichment plungers are lifting up a good bit ?
my cable slips the carb bracket

 

Excellent question. Also pretty easy to just install it with too much slack.

 

IT RANNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!1111111eleventeen

Thanks for suggesting to not be retarded!

-Matt

 

since the mornings have gotten colder i find the plungers have to come way up
that little clamp on mine just isn't up to the task of holding the end of the cable
kordasn, put a little charge on that battery, don't let it set run down too long

 

Ohh yea, I leave one of those trickle over-winter chargers on it all the time. If I have to be off of it for a longer time, I try to deep cycle it, but the trickle is better than nothing.

Thanks again guys!

 

Hey congrats glad you got it sorted out!