New floats needed?

Hi guys,

Do you think float buoyancy might change on old...ancient..floats.
There is no damage or any visible flaws to them. I just ask because of the never ending thousands of reasons that Amal carbs might be temperamental.
They are 49 years old. Just wondering because I have a fuel gauge on an older ATV (2004) that shows the fuel level with a plastic float on a shaft. Worked for many years but doesn't any more. Tried it in a bucket of water and it floats just fine. put it back in the gas, and it sank like a stone?!?

Just wondering if almost 50 years of plastic in petrol might have an effect. They are very yellow, but look in the same condition they did decades ago.

Been through everything trying to get rid of problems...short of just totally replacing them.

You can test them in a small container of gas if worried. Word seems to be they do hold up pretty well. Some folk prefer them to new type stay up floats.

The float needles should be replaced with new alloy type with Viton rubber tip for best ethanol resistance. While disassembled, give the float valve seat in bowl a polish with qtip dipped in autosol metal polish and spin with a power drill.

Tornado said:

You can test them in a small container of gas if worried. Word seems to be they do hold up pretty well. Some folk prefer them to new type stay up floats.

The float needles should be replaced with new alloy type with Viton rubber type for best ethanol resistance. While disassembled, give the float valve seat in bowl a polish with qtip dipped in autosol metal polish and spin with a power drill.

Click to expand...

Yes , float needles . Replace them .
Personally I like the Stay-up floats .
Enjoy .

We used to check floats this way: Heat a pan of water to very hot then, with a pair of needle-nose pliers, hold the float below the surface of the water. If the float is leaking, you will see stream of bubbles for several seconds as the air in the float expands from the heat. No bubbles, the float is OK.

And the other simple test is to shake the float beside your ear.

There should not be liquid sloshing around in it.

Thanks so much guys!!

Hold the float up to a light bulb .