Ethanol and carb float problems . . .

[PGlaves]

So Paul, what do you recommend doing about the float situation. Obviously you are not in favor of the floats that do not absorb or deteriorate because of the problems you outlined............thanks......Dennis

I discussed this a couple of weeks ago (Supertech in Pennsylvania) when it came up in a Q&A Tom Cutter and I were doing. I think there are two possibilities:

1. Just replace the foam floats fairly often - every year or so. If they look brown, or you are getting dribbling, then replace them.

2. I am told - but have not seen - a new float which is a single hinged float assembly that looks in shape like the original foam floats - but which has hollow black plastic floats on the hinge. I am also told that these floats retain the use of the OEM vented float bowls with the overflow drain tube. Assuming these were described to me correctly they are what I would use.

 

[osbornk]

I discussed this a couple of weeks ago (Supertech in Pennsylvania) when it came up in a Q&A Tom Cutter and I were doing. I think there are two possibilities:

1. Just replace the foam floats fairly often - every year or so. If they look brown, or you are getting dribbling, then replace them.

2. I am told - but have not seen - a new float which is a single hinged float assembly that looks in shape like the original foam floats - but which has hollow black plastic floats on the hinge. I am also told that these floats retain the use of the OEM vented float bowls with the overflow drain tube. Assuming these were described to me correctly they are what I would use.

would it be possible to coat the foam floats with a more alcohol resistant coating? (like polyurathane) I can still get 100% gas but I don't know for how long.

 

[donbmw]

I discussed this a couple of weeks ago (Supertech in Pennsylvania) when it came up in a Q&A Tom Cutter and I were doing. I think there are two possibilities:

1. Just replace the foam floats fairly often - every year or so. If they look brown, or you are getting dribbling, then replace them.

2. I am told - but have not seen - a new float which is a single hinged float assembly that looks in shape like the original foam floats - but which has hollow black plastic floats on the hinge. I am also told that these floats retain the use of the OEM vented float bowls with the overflow drain tube. Assuming these were described to me correctly they are what I would use.

You can get the new floats from the Bing Agency International L.L.C. I got some this summer and have not had anyproblems with them.

Don

 

[jammess]

would it be possible to coat the foam floats with a more alcohol resistant coating? (like polyurathane) I can still get 100% gas but I don't know for how long.

Well, I am going to do just that. I am going to remove floats and clean them then coat with polyurathane (varathane) and let cure for a week or so then let soak in ethanol for a week and if all is well use them. Apparently the oem floats are coated with some kind of varnish and polyurathane is supposed to be alcohol resistant.

 

[PGlaves]

Well, I am going to do just that. I am going to remove floats and clean them then coat with polyurathane (varathane) and let cure for a week or so then let soak in ethanol for a week and if all is well use them. Apparently the oem floats are coated with some kind of varnish and polyurathane is supposed to be alcohol resistant.

Please let us know what happens. This may be very useful!!

 

[04r1150rs]

I just put the new single hinged floats on my G/S which are a direct replacement for the originals, no problems yet, but have only been on the bike for 1.5 months. The other kit offered by Bing is insanely expensive, have to buy the bowls too. That's ridiculous!!!!

 

[PGlaves]

I just put the new single hinged floats on my G/S which are a direct replacement for the originals, no problems yet, but have only been on the bike for 1.5 months. The other kit offered by Bing is insanely expensive, have to buy the bowls too. That's ridiculous!!!!

And as stated before - the unvented bowls are a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[fracture]

Well, I am going to do just that. I am going to remove floats and clean them then coat with polyurathane (varathane) and let cure for a week or so then let soak in ethanol for a week and if all is well use them. Apparently the oem floats are coated with some kind of varnish and polyurathane is supposed to be alcohol resistant.

Just wondering about something: If the oem floats are coated with some kind of varnish, and another coat of some type is added, will the floats "sink" a bit more due to the added weight, therefore requiring some other adjustment to keep fuel level in the bowl at the specified height?

That one extra coat may not seem like much weight to you and me, but to the float it may be quite a bit.

I am concerned about the ethanol/float issue. I have the original floats and they have been holding up for about 15 years. I have not noticed any problems due to floats deteriorating from the ethanol. Fuel with 10% ethanol is the norm where I live.

 

[Manfred]

And as stated before - the unvented bowls are a disaster waiting to happen.

I've looked at my carbs amd the diagrams for them and don't see any overflow vents. Where are they located?

 

[James.A]

The overflow is the little brass tube that stands straight up from the bottom of the float bowl. It extends slightly above the top of the bowl. Float bowls for tickler-type carbs, like the type 53, don't have them.

I would also like to know more about coating foam floats or plastic hinged floats.

 

[CTellman]

Vented float bowls . . .

For the uninitiated . . .can vented floatbowls be retrofitted to 40mm Bings?
Campbell Tellman II
'93 R100RT

 

[Rod Sheridan]

Does anyone know of a chemical that can be used to coat or re-coat the oem floats that can stand up to gas/alcohol? What would varathane do?

1) nope

2) change the weight of the floats


Regards, Rod.

 

[jammess]

Have ordered a KBS tank sealer kit and plan to not only coat the interior of the gas tank but will dip the floats in the stuff as well and see what happens. As far as increasing the weight of the floats goes I'm not concerned as there is an adjustment for float level, just slightly bend the metal tab that pushes against the needle valve to adjust the level of fuel in the float bowls. Other scenario is to bite the old bullet and shell out $186 for a pair of ethanol proof floats from Bing Vergaser.
Could come to that. Who is the idiot that came up with this e10 brainstorm anyway?

Winter......I HATE IT

 

[osbornk]

Have ordered a KBS tank sealer kit and plan to not only coat the interior of the gas tank but will dip the floats in the stuff as well and see what happens. As far as increasing the weight of the floats goes I'm not concerned as there is an adjustment for float level, just slightly bend the metal tab that pushes against the needle valve to adjust the level of fuel in the float bowls. Other scenario is to bite the old bullet and shell out $186 for a pair of ethanol proof floats from Bing Vergaser.
Could come to that. Who is the idiot that came up with this e10 brainstorm anyway?

Winter......I HATE IT

Congress came up with e10. I'll wager your congressman and senators voted for it.

 

[cactuspat]

there many reasons against anding weight to the floats ,that tab is easy to bend for a reason, because it was made in accordance with the weight of the float without any thing extra on it, for one.

 

[jammess]

there many reasons against anding weight to the floats ,that tab is easy to bend for a reason, because it was made in accordance with the weight of the float without any thing extra on it, for one.

Actually, the tab doesn't bend easily. The tank coat kit arrives this Friday and I will let you know how it works out or not.

 

[88bmwjeff]

Other scenario is to bite the old bullet and shell out $186 for a pair of ethanol proof floats from Bing Vergaser.

A $186. I wouldn't pay that. For less than half that $70 you can get hinged alcohol resistant floats. The independent float kit with new bowls etc. is $186.

 

[RACEYDOG]

I discussed this a couple of weeks ago (Supertech in Pennsylvania) when it came up in a Q&A Tom Cutter and I were doing. I think there are two possibilities:

1. Just replace the foam floats fairly often - every year or so. If they look brown, or you are getting dribbling, then replace them.

2. I am told - but have not seen - a new float which is a single hinged float assembly that looks in shape like the original foam floats - but which has hollow black plastic floats on the hinge. I am also told that these floats retain the use of the OEM vented float bowls with the overflow drain tube. Assuming these were described to me correctly they are what I would use.

Did you ever find out what kind of floats they were? Or where to get them?

 

[RACEYDOG]

A $186. I wouldn't pay that. For less than half that $70 you can get hinged alcohol resistant floats. The independent float kit with new bowls etc. is $186.

Where can I get the set of hinged floats? They aren't on the Bing website and the guy didn't seem to know anything about them.

 

[20774]

Where can I get the set of hinged floats? They aren't on the Bing website and the guy didn't seem to know anything about them.

That's strange...I saw the new hinged floats (they were blackish in color) at the National Rally in Johnson City. The Bing guy was there in the main vendor area. They're shaped just like the original white foam floats but are black in color.

Bing's website is not as complete as it could be. I'd be persistent and call them back or check with a BMW dealer. They can get carb parts as well.

Captial Cycle lists an alcohol resistant float for '70-on twins for $15. The picture shows the stock white float...that's not correct unless they're just lazy with their pictures. They list part number 13 11 1 254 766. This part number is the same on other websites showing the stock white float.