Petrol soaked Air filter with Weber carb. 1.8 Clipper

Hello,

Apologies if this is in the wrong place, I can usually find out what I need to know from other peoples posts. I've just signed up again as I forgot all my log in details.

I have a 1.8 1992 Clipper.

Last night I did an 80mile round trip in it and as I neared home it started to complain, revs dropping to below tickover when lifting throttle and occasional loss of power when accelerating. I had read about crap from the petrol tank clogging the fuel lines and I was driving on empty last night so I thought that's what it was. I had to drive it to uni this morning and it cut out and wouldn't start immediately after and I had to use the choke to keep it from stalling when lifting off to change gear.  I took off the air filter when I got back to have a look and what seemed like a gallon of petrol poured out all over my engine!

From fixing old scooters I guess this is an issue with the float(s) being stuck or punctured and flooded? I have tried tapping it with a wrench and I've sprayed some carb cleaner down it (which got the engine a little more lively for a second or two) but I figure it's going to take a little more work than that

This is the first Golf I have had and I am learning as I go with it but I don't want to dismantle that massive carb without first seeking some advice, and I can't seem to find anyone who has had the same problem with a Weber.

From what I can tell all pipes are where they should be minus the warm air hose that runs from the exhaust manifold.

I recently snapped my choke cable and drove it with no choke for about a week in the cold while I waited for a replacement, don't know if that would have done anything.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

Hi Greenpiece,

 I'm no expert but would second your opinion that the float may be unhinged or not adjusted- I had a new weber fitted and the float had come loose from being tossed around in the post- result being loads of fuel flooding out of the top of the carb, just as you are experiencing. It's pretty dangerous, especially if you get a stray spark so take a look mate.

 Hope this helps.

 Mark.