Partially stripped air mixture screw

Hey guys, could I bug you for some quick advice? I've partially stripped out one of my air mixture screws and am contemplating a way to fix it. (Why O why did they make them from soft brass?????)

I think there might be a proper screw driver that chacal sells to avoid this in the future? Maybe I can drive a wedge into the top and make a new flathead screwdriver notch on the top? Should I drill it out if I have no luck? Is there a new screw or assembly that I might have to buy?

After a hard day, it boils my blood that such little effort on the screwdriver probably cost me a lot in time and money... GRRRRRRRR

 

Well, you will definitely have to replace the screw. No biggie though -- they are not hard to find. Chacal, our local XJ parts source, should have them in stock.

As for removal... You have a few options.

First and foremost, get yourself some good penetrating oil (Kroil would be the best) and just fill the screw hole to the brim, and leave it for a day or so. A bit of heat from a small propane torch on the carb body (right around the screw area) might help things along: heat expands the aluminum, (hopefully) breaking the bond with the screw.

Got a dremel? Get yourself one of those tiny engraving bits, and carefully carve a new slot in the remnants of the screw. Don't trench too deep, otherwise it will just expand as you start turning it, making things more difficult. Make sure you wash out any metal bits.

Drilling out would be the last resort... Increase bit sizes in steps of 1/64".. Don't get too close to the threads.. And don't use cheap Chinese easy-out bits... If you break one of them off inside, you will be better off looking for a new carb body.

Good luck! May of us have been there! :mrgreen:

 

Thanks so much for the advice. It's been a hard day for me, and your advice really is beyond golden for me right now.

 

Greetings all I'm relatively new to the forum community so please bear with me. Members keep referring to a Chacal as a source for parts. Pleas enlighten me with regards to this source. Is there a website? email? catalog? I ride an '81 XJ650H and am desperately trying to keep it in good running order.

 

Chacal is a member here... Not only does he sell XJ parts, he also knows a thing or two about XJs and things related. He's not always the cheapest, but he won't sell you what you don't need, and he ships so fast, you'd think he's got teleportation figured out, too.

 

Thank you stereomind. Believe it or not right after I posted my question I did some site browsing and then discovered that chacal is a member. I am very impressed and grateful of the interesting and very useful information he has posted. Also, it is good to know of another source for parts. It's getting harde to get some of these. Thanks again.