AVB on these Victa carbies there is no way of adjusting the mixture, the only variable is a few different main jets, but they are rare. Anyway this mower after he got rid of the ethanol fuel, he said he dumped it, now is running a nice black coloured plug as it should. Only thing changed was the ethanol. I am well aware that some people try to cover up their mistake by changing the fuel after the event and with this motor I was only a few minutes away from pulling off the head to prove to he and his mate that it had been straight fueled, glad I didn't I would have looked a bit silly
Just wonder what the percentage of Ethanol they are using in the blend. Here I never needed to adjust the air fuel mixture between the 100% gas and the 10% but they are going to 15% soon and that may cause problems. I do know everything small engine is label for no more than 10%; although, 15% Ether blend is fine in them.
Here I can test the local fuel for Ethanol fairly easily. Just take a 250 ml test tube. Adding 50ml of water to 200 ml will indicate the present of Ethanol. Just shake and let settle. Anything over the 50ml is the percentage of Ethanol divide by 2. Example: you have 180 ml fuel vs water/alcohol is 10%.
And yes Speedy some rubbers don't like the Ethanol. I get in Tecumseh engines where the fuel bowl gasket like to swell in the present of the fuel but usually not problem unless you are pulling the bowl after the rebuild. If I do then I got the let the gasket sit a couple days and the swelling goes back down. Of course it does it again as soon as the fuel is present again. Most manufactures are using better gaskets and o-rings that are not affected.
I cleaning a Tecumseh carburetor now that had only pure thru it and it had been sitting several years. It has a gummy residue it that only strong cleaner cleaner can cut though. Something I haven't used in 5 years so I may need to make a special purchase just a can of the dip cleaner. I would just another carburetor but this is one of the old fully adjustable versions that have been obsoleted by the EPA. I hoping alternating the fresh fuel soaking and UC soap/water cleaning may have finally cleaned the idle passage.
I will know in a few days as I got Polaris UTV in the shop that is now ahead of the generator besides I got to get a kit for the carb. Probably will take the rest of tomorrow just rework the front end as I having to cut out the A frame bolts so I can replace the bushings and replace the CV boots. I spent over half a day just get the right side apart. Actually all day I but I was working other work in as I went. I get better at this ATV/UTV work before it took a full day or two just to get where I am at already. The owner/mechanic want to try something he seen on youtube. I didn't think would work but try it anyway. I should just use the press instead of wasting my time with the air hammer trying to get the bearing out. Makes a world of difference when you got the right tools for the job at hand. Since the owner is cutting corners I didn't try replacing the ball joint as it rust in place fairly well but it seen to a simple compression fit.
People wonder why it so expensive to do work nowadays but they should be present just see waht we got to go through just to get to the problems.
