Bobcat 632 pouring fuel

[slk]

I parked my machine yesterday and came out this morning to smell gas. I am so glad I did not try to start it. I opened up the engine compartment and saw gas pouring out of the intake hose to the carb. The hose had a crack in it so that is why I was able to see the gas dripping. Any ideas what could be going on with it. I automatically thought it could be a float sticking, but have not had time to check that theory. I have heard there is a gas shut off solenoid somewhere also. Could that cause it to do what it is doing??? Thanks for any help Steve

 

[flyerdan]

A stuck float (needle valve, to be more precise) usually causes the carburetor to flood due to a piece of debris not allowing the fuel flow to shut off. The fuel shutoff solenoid is usually incorporated into the carb, as a fail safe in case the needle valve doesn't block the fuel flow.
Since the fuel line was in front of all that, it probably failed due to age and the fuel formula that is detrimental to rubber compounds on older machines not designed for the corn gas.
What's more concerning is that gas was "pouring out" of a system that had sat overnight and by all intents and purposes should not have any pressure in it. The tank should be below the engine, so it wouldn't be a gravity push.

 

[slk]

A stuck float (needle valve, to be more precise) usually causes the carburetor to flood due to a piece of debris not allowing the fuel flow to shut off. The fuel shutoff solenoid is usually incorporated into the carb, as a fail safe in case the needle valve doesn't block the fuel flow.
Since the fuel line was in front of all that, it probably failed due to age and the fuel formula that is detrimental to rubber compounds on older machines not designed for the corn gas.
What's more concerning is that gas was "pouring out" of a system that had sat overnight and by all intents and purposes should not have any pressure in it. The tank should be below the engine, so it wouldn't be a gravity push.

The fuel tank is above the engine in the 632. Right behind the seat. Now there is a petcock valve coming out of the bottom of the tank that I can shut off, and have...I am thinking of treating the gas with seafoam to see if by some lucky chance might help. Steve

 

[flyerdan]

The fuel tank is above the engine in the 632. Right behind the seat. Now there is a petcock valve coming out of the bottom of the tank that I can shut off, and have...I am thinking of treating the gas with seafoam to see if by some lucky chance might help. Steve

Having the tank above the carb would explain the leak, no doubt. All replacement fuel line in the parts stores should be resistant to the new formula, just make sure you get the right size and that it's long enough that there aren't any sharp bends, especially where it goes on a hose barb; that's often where a crack occurs.
Seafoam of course won't do anything for your current problem, but it is a good preventative measure against deposits forming. It takes so little to knock a carb out of whack.