I took the Chummy for a run into Warragul today, first stop the petrol station, filled up then realised that I didn’t have a mask on as this car has not been used for months, bugger so paid and went home. After turning the car off I got out and stood waiting to see if the rear main leak had been conquered only to find fuel pouring out. Hmm. turned fuel off (gravity fed) removed carby and emptied the contents of the fuel bowl into a container this is what was in it:
The float bowl had a fair bit of rusty muddy water amongst the fuel. The car came from South Australia so red dust can be found throughout and the fuel cap seal was non existent so that explains the red dirt, it is amazing it actually ran.
After a bit of reading it seems that the amount of water fuel can hold is temperature related so this car was filled with summer fuel, it has sat through a cold winter with the water separating and rusting the tank. The obvious answer to this is use your car and if you can’t because you are in lockdown, drain the tank and use it in your everyday car or even the mower.
I will chuck some metho in to hopefully suck up whatever water is left but usage should fix the problem or I may end up fitting one of those glass bowl water separators but for now fingers crossed.
Lastly here is a shot of the carby fuel inlet:
I always thought that Austin 7’s ran on fresh air and scenery. It seems this must be the case.
Well of course, and the outlet to the the float bowl is about 1/2″ above the bottom.
Re. Austin 7.
I filled the petrol from the spare can (I gallon oil can). All ok until the car stopped. Got out, scratched head car started. A few miles further it stopped. Stop, start all the way home. Back home, drained petrol tank and out came the seal from the lid of the oil can which had settled over the outlet from the petrol tank. A very effective seal.
Yes the best laid plans but more than likely you will not do that again and hopefully I will remember not to do it either.