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MG MG Y Type - white deposits in float chamber

Guys
I need your advice please.
I have just got my engine back following its rebuild by Dave Knight Engineering near Weedon in Northamptonshire.
My good friend Brian kindly oversaw the refitting
Today I began replacing the ancillaries. Having fitted the exhaust manifold I was about to bolt on the carbs and found some white deposits in the float chambers
I have begun to clean them using a carb cleaner.
However I am concerned that there will still be tiny specs which are not,immediately evident to the eye.The carbs were taken off the car in October and the car had been standing in the garage since our return from Scotland in late August. Whilst I drained the fuel off from the carbs when I removed them I dismantled float chambers and ensured that there wad no fuel left. I presume that the residue is from the fuel moisture and a result of ethanol?I am obviously very wary of installing them after cleaning as any crap ruin the rebuilt engine.

Having had the carbs rebuilt splendidly by Ed Biddle in Malvern last March I will seek his advice. But if any of you,have any suggestions I would be grateful.Should I also run the fuel in the tank off, add an inhibitor or what bearing in mind that its been standing in the tank for six months?

Thanks Guys and a belated Happy New Year
Jerry


J P BIRKBECK

Be calcium, best to speak to Burlen sure they will have a suggested cleaner.
R E Knight

Jerry

Burlen Fuels phone number is 01722 412500 (+44 1722 412500 for anyone outside the UK).

As Richard says, they will be a good place to start your enquiries.

Maybe you should plant the white deposits and if they are ethanol based you can grow your own fuel - LOL?

This ethanol stuff is junk!!

Paul
Paul Barrow

I understand your caution, but I wouldn't be very worried that a few specks will ruin the engine. They are sturdier that that?

I'd clean the parts with a stiff brush and carburettor cleaner that you can probably buy at Halfords.
After that I'd blow out all the specks/dust with compressed air.

I do advocate the use of fresh fuel when restarting the new engine. Empty the tank as much as possible, refill with fresh fuel (no need for a full tank) and flush the system by letting the pump run until the fresh fuel comes out.

The old fuel can be added to the tank (of any petrol engined car) in smaller portions when you plan to drive some more miles.
Willem van der Veer

This sounds like corrosion of the aluminium parts in the carb...aluminium oxide is white...could be corrosion from contaminated fuel or the ethanol in the petrol is reacting in some way (having the property to be miscible with water.). A little oil in the petrol might help..note a little!
D MULLEN

Thanks Guyx

I took Richard's advice and contacted Burlen. Their Teccy folk suggested cleaning white spirit. This I
have done and the outcome is pleasing

I also mentioned the fuel in the tank. Other than adding fresh fuel after the car was running.Though adding a gallon of fresh fuel would be beneficial.

I haven't heard of adding a little oil Dave could you elucidate on the reasons to a none teccy chap like me please!

Thanks

Jerry
J P BIRKBECK



I have a couple of spare SU carbs on the shelf since I cant remember, and one shows slight white deposits but has never had ethanol in it so I guess its the atmospheric oxygen slowly decomposing it. Perhaps the external carb body is protected by a mist of engine oil but the float chamber devoid of fuel became exposed to oxygen. I use an ethanol inhibiter with each tank refill which I hope will protect the carb and solder joints. Bryan
B Mellem

The idea of a little oil (actually I mean REDEX etc) is to provide lubrication or a coating to the aluminium parts of the carb on the inside which may be attacked by ethanol...or derivatives in modern petrol which can (I am told) be corrosive to metals like aluminium etc.
D MULLEN

The white powder is Aluminium Hydroxide and is the result of water corrosion on the alloy fuel bowl - often the result of water in the fuel or condensation in the fuel tank - also often unnoticed until the bowl dries out in storage.

The bottom of the bowl is designed as a dirt / water trap so any remaining debris will not cause a problem.
Chris at Octarine Services

Many thanks guys for the guidance. I hopefully will be putting the remaining ancillaries back on the engine by the weekend!

And thank you Dave for your clarification on redex!

all the best

Jerry
J P BIRKBECK

This thread was discussed between 07/01/2014 and 10/01/2014

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