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Fuel discharging from 50 ELPTO engine

D

David Felix

New member
I have a 50 ELPTO 2 cycle mfg in 2007. I fired it up for the first time this season tonight and it would run with some extra throttle, but if I put the throttle in neutral position it would die. I figured the engine just didn't like the gas in the tank (several month old with stabil). after I shut the water off I was removing the hose from the ears and noticed a gas smell. I took the cover off and found gas in the bottom of the compartment.

I noticed the fuel lines were wet on the left side where they enter the carb. Figured I had a cracked fuel line so I squeezed the primer bulb a couple times to confirm and gas squirted out of a threaded hole on the left side of the engine, middle cylinder close to where the fuel line enters.

At first I thought a screw had fallen out, but I observed the cylinders above and below this one have identical threaded holes that are open, but fuel only discharges from the center one. Does this engine have an internal relief system to prevent damage from over pressurizing the system with the primer bulb?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
You either have a stuck needle valve or a particle in the way of the needle valve that's not allowing it to close properly. You could try draining the carbs by removing the brass drainscrew on the side of the carb down low and squeezing the bulb a few times to flush it out. Squeeze hard but give it time to drain between pumps. Do this several times then put the drain screw back in and pump the bulb. When all the needle valves work correctly they close as the carb fills and the bulb gets hard. If it continues to overflow the needle valve likey has been stuck in a partially open position due to varnish. If it fixes the problem clean or replace the fuel filter and do it to all the carbs. The bottm on could be tough. Try looking up your carbs in the diagrams on this site to see how they're built and you should get a better understanding of how they work. Basically there is a float that closes a valve (needle valve) when the fuel level in the float chamber is full. This regulates the fuel level in each carb maintaining the proper fuel level. They are not very welcoming of varnish or debris.
 
You can produce 15 pounds fuel pressure by squeezing the bulb really hard, where the motor makes only 4 to 5 running. If it doesn't ooze when running the carbs will be okay. Just don't pump them up so much.

Jeff
 
Dockside - Thank you for the quick response, I will try that this evening, I like that your solution doesn't require a teardown :)

I remember seeing said brass screw about 3/4-1 inch towards the back of the motor from the discharge port. If I recall, that screw has a spring under it, is depth important when reinstalling it? There was gas in the bottom of the compartment after running the engine, so I presume it was discharging while the engine was running and contributing to the inability of the engine to idle in nuetral. I was leaning away from it being a pressure release as I presume if that were the case, it would happen at the bottom cylinder where the fuel line terminates.

Jeff - are you thinking the inability to idle is unrelated to the fuel discharge? The fuel is from last fall and was properly treated with Stabil. I am open to all thoughts at this point.

side question - all the fuel lines are crimped using zip ties. I presume these are installed using a special tool that pulls and cuts the zip ties. Where can one get the tool/supplies for this purpose? the space is really tight and I foresee use of standard hose clamps being complicated when changing the fuel filter.
 
Just wanted to update - I flushed the carb as above, but still let gas through. Cranked the engine a couple times and then was able to prime the bulb without gas coming out. Started up and idles fine. Guess it was just an issue with not properly winterizing ahead of the Oklahoma winter. Thanks.
 
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