Setting Float Height - Can I Use Water?

Last time I set my float height it took all day and over 20 iterations but it was summer and I could sit outside. Now it gets dark before I finish work and want to do this indoors so thought about using water instead.

I think I read somewhere that the specific gravity is different and would change the level?

Has anyone tried this, I am hoping that it is a valid (if not perfect) approach.

Also having re-assembled my carbs, three slides snap back down with a nice click and the other isn't quite as positive. All diaphragms looks good. Any tips?

Cheers!

 

Imo No. We try to keep water "out" the carbs as much as possible. There are good threads in the diy forum for making jigs that allow for only removing the bowl to adjust the tang. Why are you re-setting the float heights? Once they're set only minor, if any, adjustments are needed unless you replace the valves and seats.

Gary H.

 

Hi Gary, just thought I would be thorough... I have never had this bike running and have just stripped the carbs completely. Had to do this as thehe throttle action / butterflies were locked solid and two of the enrichment plungers were also completely stuck. Thought I would just start from scratch, split the rack, and as I have an ultrasonic bath, the carbs have been soaking in water anyway.

In between posting and your reply, I filled it with water to check for leaks and found one so it was a useful exercise and one I could do in my kitchen (no garage). Got a leak either side of the 'T' shaped connector between 2 & 3.

I might as well carry on and check the fluid height with a tube now they are wet anyway. I'll get them dry before putting fuel in. and blow through with compressed air. I'll pray they don't read adjustment - I hated the job last time (different bike).

I guess water and fuel can get a bit gunky?

 

Water and gas have different densities. So if you use water it will not be the same as if you use gas.

Read this. If you haven't yet.

http://www.xj4ever.com/setting fuel levels.pdf

 

Thanks XJrider, I did see it last time I did this but I will dip into it again.

I am really curious to know what difference using water would make to the float heights... think I might actually measure this. It ought to be a consistent difference and therefore if it does make a difference, one which could be factored in to the measurement. If I do I will put my findings up here in case anyone else wants to do their testing in the kitchen

 

Imo don't try to re-invent the wheel. Save time and headaches. Learn and understand the given way then experiment outside the box. The float heights are critical to your bike running correctly (especially a 550 per bf). Using water to set the heights will put you waaay off. Annnnnd if there's a leak at the fuel rail you should replace the o-rings. All of them. Cheers.

Gary H.

 

Just curious to see what the difference is and I'll have to do it 'properly' with fuel to check that anyway. The leak is from the central plastic T piece and doesn't have any o-rings unlike the straight connector between carb 1&2 and 3&4. Just trying to source a replacement for it now. Yamaha want £45 about $65? !!!!! Found a brass substitute but that's £30! At least the diaphrams are good. that would have cost much more to sort.

 

I don't know for sure, but I can provide two things that should allow you to figure it out:

1) Archimedes' principle indicates that the upward buoyant force that is exerted on a body immersed in a fluid, whether fully or partially submerged, is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body displaces.

2) Gasoline floats on water

With those two facts, you can work through it and see what would happen to the float levels if you set them using water instead of gasoline.

 

Water is totally unsuitable. It has a significantly higher specific gravity so the fuel level will read significantly lower than you'd get with gasoline. Put on your mittens and tuke and do it outside - with gasoline.

 

It comes down to the simple answer:
Yes you CAN use water ---BUT:

-The reading will be inaccurate
- the carbs you just meticulously cleaned----- because of too much water (moisture) getting into the fuel/carbs and gunking them up in the first place----have now been FILLED with water......

Even if you get level all set, you'll need to clean the carbs out and let everything dry so there's no moisture in there, and HOPEFULLY none got up into other passages......

You must make sure to thoroughly re-clean the enricher well jet, and make sure the enricher tube is completely empty and dry again.

So..... CAN YOU----yes, SHOULD YOU---NO. Ok class, repeat after me:
(me) - no
(class) - noooo-OOO-ooo-oo

 

Guess that's a no then. I'll leave my curious mind to something more constructive....... Thanks for all the input.

 

Now your "bulb" is shining bright. There's no guessing here. The advice given by all is legit. And don't worry, there's a wealth of constructive knowledge to satisfy any curiosity about your bike you may encounter.

Gary H.