Carb Leak - how serious is this?

Nikhiln25 said:
Interesting. Seems possible it is and just running along the wire to the other end. But I wonder why the dye is staining upwards from the plugs
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It's wicking along the airbox gasket to the other end. Gasoline has very little surface tension and it will wick out in all sorts of ways, including upward, to make that big stain. Any dust on the casting will aid the wicking.
 
IMG_2466.jpeg
This is a top down view of the bottom.. this definitely looks like a secondary leak. Though it doesn’t seem to be the ball or the plug.. ugh
 
Magman said:
Putting the lower cowl on alone is not easy.

Intake Duct in particular.

I’m a believe in sort of a “ Local Type Club” for mutual assistance.

It’s possible there may be another 182 owner that knows the

techniques and “ Special Words”!
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Huh. I’ve been installing my C180 cowl solo for 25 years. What’s different other than a nose gear?

My mechanic puts the top cowl on first but he always has help available. I’ve always put the lower cowl on first.
 
Connecting the Intake Duct to the Airbox through the Cowl Flaps can

be challenging. If you feel it’s easy that’s great.
 
Magman said:
Connecting the Intake Duct to the Airbox through the Cowl Flaps can

be challenging. If you feel it’s easy that’s great.
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To make it slightly easier I ordered a worm clamp that has a butterfly on the end so that no screwdriver is needed to tighten or check tightness.

I also got an old office chair with armrests and removed the back. I roll it under the cowl and raise it to support the lower cowl as I am removing the fasteners. Then I use the same chair when it comes time to reattach the lower cowl.

Want complication? Add the front mounted elevator canards! If you have a 2 bladed prop like like I do, it is a little bit easier. With wheel pants and a 3 blade, you definitely need to lower the tail to make things easier.

I never ask for help…it’s like asking for directions…
 
Magman said:
Putting the lower cowl on alone is not easy.
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Probably the same trick I use for the Navion will work. Get an empty cardboard box the right side to cram under the cowl and hold it in approximately the right position while you connect up the intake and cowl flap linkages and the first few screws. The empty box can be deformed a bit to hold it close up.
 
flyingron said:
Probably the same trick I use for the Navion will work. Get an empty cardboard box the right side to cram under the cowl and hold it in approximately the right position while you connect up the intake and cowl flap linkages and the first few screws. The empty box can be deformed a bit to hold it close up.
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I think I’m going to try this! Thanks
 
I believe the worst part is booking the duct flange over the Airbox Inlet,

squeezing them together to compress the gasket while pushing on the 1/4

turn Airloc (?) fasteners while turning them through the Cowl Flaps.

My shoulder hurts just thinking about it!
 
I had the identical problem on my newly overhauled carb on a new XP470 engine. My mechanic backed it out, cleaned the threads, and reinstalled it. Problem solved.
 
Interesting.. did he just change the gaskets and plugs
 
So I had a A&P look at it today. He said the nut on top of the gasket was loose - he did one large turn to get it tight. That was the leak on the top, above the gasket, not the gasket it’s self

The second leak seems to be something to do with the float valve. Either the valve is not closing or something, and it’s leaking out of the bottom. He thinks when the float fills up the valve isn’t shutting and some small amount of fuel is getting out when the plane is parked. He suggested I put fuel selector in the off position when parked and see if there is still a leak. But he’s certain the leak is on the ground when the plane is not running vs in the air, so he isn’t concerned much about any real fire risk
 
A leaky float valve isn't uncommon, but that wouldn't get fuel on the outside of the carburetor, it'd drip out of the airbox.
 
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