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MG TD TF 1500 - Problem with Carburetor Float

A couple of days ago I went to start my 1955 TF1500 to get it ready for winter storage. When I turned on the ignition switch, I heard the fuel pump running and notice fuel coming out of the front carb overflow pipe. I took the top off the float bowl and found the float at the bottom of the bowl. When I pulled the float out it was obvious it was full of gasoline which obviously caused it to drop to the bottom of the bowl causing the overflow. I dried the float off and shook it hard several times but I could not find the leak that let the fuel enter the float. I laid it on my work bench and it has not leaked out any gas for a several days. I was hoping to find the leak so I could solder the hole shut in the float. I ordered new floats from Moss but was wondering if anyone has run into this problem before?
Mark Stolzenburg

Dip it in hot water, the trapped air escaping will disclose the hole

Regards, Tom
tm peterson

Don’t do it with you wife home. Lol
W A Chasser

That is an odd one. If it is full of gas, I would be careful of heating it. Even in hot water.

I would assume it is along the seam.
Bruce Cunha

Yes I have had the problem in the past even with brand new floats, so I switched to the Stay up float.
B W Wood

Ethanol has eaten the solder.I have repaired floats but modern lead free solder (UK) gets eaten very quickly.
I also recommend Stay Up replacements.
We do have long overflow pipes but the airflow blows fuel onto a glowing exhaust pipe.
On a RHD TF you can see the glow if you stick your head out the side
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

When I had this problem I widened out the pinhole with a small drill (maybe 1mm) and drilled a second hole as well. This allowed the fuel to drain out and I then soldered up both holes.
P Willows

turn it upside down and place it on the surface again and you may find that it leaks again.
hh hoolihan

Hi, I had this problem last year although in my case the float had not sunk completely, it was just about floating on the surface of the fuel. I ordered a replacement but there were none in stock, so I did the same as P Willows having identifed the location of the small hole first by putting the float into hot water so that it expelled a string of air bubbles. Has been fine since soldering and I always buy non-ethanol fuel so hopefully the solder will not be damaged. Matt.
Matt Davis

What about converting to the Nitrophyl types of floats? Can't corrode or sink and probably lighter?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154662678949


M Hyde

These floats have been failing for years. Yes possible to repair, but I would do just for emergency or spare use. George
George Butz III

Yes. empty it in hot water (not air escaping but fuel vapor). Then you can solder it but only for spares because it will be heavier. Buy a new one for your car .

Laurent.
LC Laurent31

I did the suggestion of putting the float in hot water. The bubbles started immediately and showed the leak was coming from the center "tunnel/shaft" making the repair almost impossible - at least in my estimation. Replaced float with a new one I received from Moss Motors and problem - solved!!
Mark Stolzenburg

I am thinking of buying these new design floats, however I have a question. As they are different weight and density, Do I need to modify the fork gap to obtain the correct fuel level?

John

J Scragg

This thread was discussed between 01/12/2023 and 10/12/2023

MG TD TF 1500 index

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