Adjusting float bowl fuel level

Just made up the jig to hold the carbs and am going to adjust the float height using a sight guage (clear plastic tube).

I'd rather not use gas to do this and read earlier have some suggested using water and some have said to use alcohol instead, that it's closer to the characteristics of gasoline. I can't imagine there's be much of a difference considering how small the related components are.

So I'm not sure if there's any good reason not to use water to check the level? Rubbing alcohol is cheap enough but if water is just as good, I can just do it on the kitchen counter which I can't with gasoline.

Thanks

 

I've wondered that too! Gas is too darn expenive to use right now....

 

LOL well it is too expensive!

I just don't want to spill gas while doing this in the house.

 

My understanding is it's the specific gravity of the liquid. Differences in specific gravity cause the float to float at different heights. Water and gas are not the same. I haven't heard about hte alcohol.

 

Sure the parts are small, but so is the tolerance. The difference in density is substantial percentage-wise (I think I remember it being 75% less dense). The whole point is to get the right fuel height over the main and pilot jets, and you'd have to do some extra calculations (and it might not be linear, since the foat rotates on a hinge and isn't simply shaped). You'd have to take into consideration the distance of the float pin and the center of the float, it's density, etc.

Just set up your jig outside, and throw the gas back in the tank if it's clean, or if it's dirty, throw it in the car or lawn-mower. You don't have to "waste" the gas, and you'll know it's done right. I read a thread on here about windshield washer fluid and tried it, and I had a mess to clean up afterwards (after putting the carbs back on the bike and not starting...of course :roll: )

 

Don't use anything but gas you will just be wasting your time.

 

+1 on use gas. Specific gravity does make a difference. Why put water into something you are eventually try to keep moisture out of.

 

:lol:

 

+ 1

I looked into other liquids with density similar to gasoline. Gasoline was the least nasty of the bunch.

 

OK, ok, sheesh... I'll use gas...

Besides my GF says I have more than enough... :lol:

Thanks much for the replies!

 

Yeah, sorry. We did this one a couple years ago; Somebody did a "real world" test against windshield washer fluid, and the levels were off by a couple mm.

 

I saw the same thing fitz did Thats why i said it. It can make a few mm off why go to the bother if your going to do it wrong . If your gonna do it that way just dry set them and hope for the best.

 

gas is still cheaper than Rubbing alcohol, for now at least