Silicone for a leaky float?

Shawnandkate8

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Hey guys on my way to work this morning I was about 10 miles into a 19 mile ride and my bike started four stroking and bogging down. When I stopped to inspect there was fuel coming out of the carburetor.

Upon further inspection found the float to be full of fuel. Explaining the fuel dump and bogging. Anyway I got to work and disassembled the carb and let the fuel drain out.

Now I’m planning on ordering new carb as the float costs almost as much and I also can’t find one specifically for the hp carb. My question is I have sealed the old float with silicone and am letting it setup while I’m at work. It’s a 20 mile ride home in the dark and I don’t want to break down. Do we think the silicone will hold on the float for that long or will the fuel eat it up? Or should I just get a ride from the wifey?

Anyone with some experience would be helpful as I am at work with limited resources to work with here. Thanks as always guys.
 
Or should I just get a ride from the wifey?
YEP...Been there, done that, with the float on an NT carby...Get a ride home with the wifey, at least you will get there.

I did notice with the new Bofeng carby that i got recently that the float and the carby overall was much better made than the NTs as well as some of the others i've seen and i'm much happier with it since all i had to do was set it up needle valve wise, the same as my regular NT was set up and i was good to go.

Amazing considering how cheap they are that they are so much better made...Just my two cents worth...DAMIEN

 
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Hey guys on my way to work this morning I was about 10 miles into a 19 mile ride and my bike started four stroking and bogging down. When I stopped to inspect there was fuel coming out of the carburetor.

Upon further inspection found the float to be full of fuel. Explaining the fuel dump and bogging. Anyway I got to work and disassembled the carb and let the fuel drain out.

Now I’m planning on ordering new carb as the float costs almost as much and I also can’t find one specifically for the hp carb. My question is I have sealed the old float with silicone and am letting it setup while I’m at work. It’s a 20 mile ride home in the dark and I don’t want to break down. Do we think the silicone will hold on the float for that long or will the fuel eat it up? Or should I just get a ride from the wifey?

Anyone with some experience would be helpful as I am at work with limited resources to work with here. Thanks as always guys.
If you have fuel tank epoxy, a tiny smear over the hole will work for a good while. An the fuel won't eat it like the silicon.
 
Well guys I let the silicone set up. Put it back together and ran it. Still dumping fuel. Thought huh that’s not good. Open bowl back up. Silicone turns into gel when mixed with fuel. Lol. Anyways I drained the float again and it’s sitting in a cup of fuel to see how fast it’s filling up. If it’s not taking on that much fuel I think Ile try and get it home. The little fuel that was in there took a couple weeks to get in there so hopefully it won’t be taking on that much.

And Damien I really wanted the new bofeng carb to work. I like it. Seems pretty simple and solid but after adjusting the needle it just won’t run right. Way too rich. Never got the jets for the 212 I ordered and I haven’t had time to solder and bore that jet. So I went with the hp carb that came with the kit and the jets were the same 5mm so I was able to tune it pretty nicely. Until this morning. Now I get to fool around some more. That’s the latest s update though.
 
Well guys I let the silicone set up. Put it back together and ran it. Still dumping fuel. Thought huh that’s not good. Open bowl back up. Silicone turns into gel when mixed with fuel. Lol. Anyways I drained the float again and it’s sitting in a cup of fuel to see how fast it’s filling up. If it’s not taking on that much fuel I think Ile try and get it home. The little fuel that was in there took a couple weeks to get in there so hopefully it won’t be taking on that much. And Damien I really wanted the new bofeng carb to work. I like it. Seems pretty simple and solid but after adjusting the needle it just won’t run right. Way too rich. Never got the jets for the 212 I ordered and I haven’t had time to solder and bore that jet. So I went with the hp carb that came with the kit and the jets were the same 5mm so I was able to tune it pretty nicely. Until this morning. Now I get to fool around some more. That’s the latest s update though.
Silicon is bad in a fuel system. Try the jb quick weld fuel tank stuff. It will work for sure, and is only $7 bucks a stick. You need a tiny arse piece, but make about a lima bean sized piece to work with. An get it on fast, it hardens literally 5 mins after you start mixing it. Mix fast, apply a tiny tiny bit, and press, smear over the hole. An you should be good for months at a min.
 
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