Pin prick size holes in float

[Guest]

While cleaning the carbs I noticed a liquid (fuel or carb cleaner) seeping from a couple of pin prick sized holes in the float. Is that the end of the float? Do I need a new one? Any ideas where I can buy one? '79 GS400 with Mikuni BS 34 carbys.

[pete]

If they're the brass floats then you should be able to get them brazed to seal them up. I'm not sure on the process but some Googling should get an answer for you I would think.

Alternatively I'm pretty sure you can still buy new ones, try www.mikunioz.com for Mikuni parts. He's pretty good to deal with, I get all my jets from there.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Brass float Scuff them up with a scrub pad an put a dab of solder on the hole

[brettule]

Ahhhh thats the idea! I tried without scuffing them and tge solder just rolled off. Will try scuffing them up.

[Charlie G]

Scuffing them up and cleaning them real good is a must. Be sure to use some flux as well.

[brettule]

flux huh? *sigh* yet another thing I need to go and buy. This "bargain bike" I've bought that needs "just a little bit of tinker time" is proving to be a total pain in the complete-ground-up-restoration arse!

[hjfisk]

You will also need to be sure they are empty of fuel, because if you don't as you heat them it will continue to spray out and contaminate the area you are intending to solder. Be fore you clean them heat them lightly until they dry up. don't over heat them as you may unsolder the existing seams.I use a heat gun to dry them out.

[chuck hahn]

Yes on scuffing AND flux. The scuffing removes the surface oxidation and the flux totally cleans the rest and etches so the solder has a perfectly unadulterated surface to bond itself to. Same technique as doing copper plumbing.

Be sure the float is dried out well inside. No mini explosions from fuel and cleaner inside them please.

[Steve]

flux huh? *sigh* yet another thing I need to go and buy.

Not necessarily.

If you are using electrical solder, it likely has flux built in.

Cleaning is a MUST. Brass should be shiny.

When I have repaired brass floats, I will locate the leaks and mark them. With a mild source of heat, warm the floats with the leaks at the bottom. Any fuel inside will be forced through the leaks as the air inside is pressurized by the heat. When all of the trapped fuel is gone, allow the floats to cool thoroughly, then apply the minimum amount of heat necessary to cover the leak with a dab of solder. If you apply too much heat during the solder process, the floats might collapse as they cool.

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