Petrol resistant pain

[cindersailor]

The float chamber bowl on my Honda BF2 outboard has started developing rust internally and means that the whole carburettor needs a strip down and clean periodically. It simply needs a coat of paint to stop this, but I am struggling to find something that will last. So called 'petrol resistant lacquer' seems to be anything but when permanently immersed in the stuff. Any suggestions? What about epoxy? Easy enough to test I suppose.

 

[sarabande]

Rust in a float chamber ?

Most carb parts are aluminium, and debris in the bottom usually is brought in from the tank or pipework. If it is a steel chamber, then you have water in the petrol.

 

[CLB]

Corrosion in float bowls is very common since we started adding ethanol. or whatever it is. Best bet would be to buy a new bowl and drain the bowl after use.

 

[thinwater]

You don't need paint, you need a corrosion-inhibiting fuel additive. The culprit is ethanol, a curse we have lived with in the US for decades, but is relatively new in the UK. In the US the ethanol makers are pushing hard for 15%, which will make it worse. I've done testing (laboratory to ASTM standards), and some work, but most don't. I'm not sure what products are available in the UK, but Merc Stor-n-Start is one of the best. It really works on both aluminum and steel.

Draining the bowl does not help as a rule; too hard to get it bone dry.

 

[steve66]

Or buy a brand new gold anodized one with new sealing o ring and fastening bolt for £15 plus post

 

[steve66]

Draining a bowl does help. I guarantee if you drain prior to long storage you will get no rust or jet issues

 

[sailorman]

Rust in a float chamber ?

Most carb parts are aluminium, and debris in the bottom usually is brought in from the tank or pipework. If it is a steel chamber, then you have water in the petrol.

Isnt it a lawnmower engine

 

[steve66]

Its a gx series block. Gx engines power most things in the modern world

 

[thinwater]

Rust in a float chamber ?

Most carb parts are aluminium, and debris in the bottom usually is brought in from the tank or pipework. If it is a steel chamber, then you have water in the petrol.

I'm not aware of an outboard brand that used steel bowls. But I could be wrong. Most are aluminum-zinc alloy.

If you are using ethanol gasoline you ALWAYS have water in the petrol. The alcohol absorbs it from the air. It is only a few tenths of a percent, but that is enough to make ions mobile and encourage corrosion. Closing the vents when not actually running is vital.

 

[steve66]

There are a few outboard manufacturers using steel bowls including Honda

 

[chewi]

Corrosion in float bowls is very common since we started adding ethanol. or whatever it is. Best bet would be to buy a new bowl and drain the bowl after use.

I use BP Ultimate petrol. They told me that has no ethanol. I asked others and they all said even the premium fuels contain it.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Or buy a brand new gold anodized one with new sealing o ring and fastening bolt for £15 plus post

Steve
Do you have a link to where I can buy one ?
Thanks

 

[steve66]

Hi my website is www.evansmarineservice.co.uk
They are not listed but you can contact me through there or message on here
Steve

 

[Heckler]

Rust in a float chamber ?

Most carb parts are aluminium, and debris in the bottom usually is brought in from the tank or pipework. If it is a steel chamber, then you have water in the petrol.

The float bowl on the Honda is steel. The petrol we have today contains biofuel which can absorb water which can then corrode the float bowl or cause verdigris on the brass parts. However this usually happens when a carb is left over winter and the fuel evaps. From the sound of it he has water in his tank.

 

[Scubadoo]

You could try por15 tank sealer which is resistant to petrol etc, used this on my old rusty land rover fuel tank a few years ago and no problems yet.

https://www.frost.co.uk/por15-car-bike-motorcyle-fuel-tank-repair-sealer.html