MGB: Down to the last Drip

Major oil leaks now gone, I want to resolve the problem of gas leaking from the front HIF (particularly after the recent posts about gas in the oil, which I don't think I've experienced, yet). The front carb leaks when I turn the car off, it drips down, apparently from the outside of the carb, forms into a drop at the bottom of the carb and drips onto the inner fender. Rear carb doesn't waste a drop. Car runs and idles well. From what I've heard I probably have a float that needs inspection. Not knowing whant the inside of the HIF looks like, do I need to have new gaskets on hand to open it up? Other than wasting gas, am I destroying my engine if I don't fix it right away? Could running carb cleaner or gs stabiliser through the tank clean what should be cleaned and avoid tearing the carbs apart? Comments and criticism gladly accepted.

Sounds to me like you need to remove them and atleast replace the gaskets. I say them because I'm not sure if you can remove just one because of the common linkage. HiF's are no big deal to rebuild, just do one at a time so you have the other as a reference. If gas is running down from the throat of the carb the float is sticking. It could also be leaking from the oring seal that seals the float chamber if it is just at the bottom of the carb. Either way the carbs need to come off. If gas is getting in the oil you better not drive it for fear of doing some serious bearing damage. If it is just an external leak it is a little bit less threatening but still a potiental fire. Order the kit and rebuild them and be done with it. Just take your time and be carefull!

Haynes has a pretty good SU carb book out, it will take all the mystery out of your HIFs, and you'll be amazed at how simple these things really are. Go for it!!

Ken

Thanks for the responses, guys. I am not so much bothered by taking the HIF apart as I want to have the car running safely for the weekend. Looks like I'll end up shooting for next weekend. I don't think I'll have to rebush the shafts, so a "restore" should go fairly smoothly.

I'd fix the leak before driving if I was you. As you may know, gas vaporizes at relatively low temperatures and the vapor will ignite at the slightest provocation. Especially with the carbs sitting right above the exhaust, I would not take the chance.