Sometimes, it feels things are moving backwards….. I’d noticed an odd drip / excessive smell of petrol on the occasions I’ve moved LGL onto the driveway. But there’s no way it could be coming from the newly restored carburettor…. right?

After crawling all over the vehicle, I could not identify where the drip on the floor was coming from. I did however, find a water leak from the heater matrix. Something else to fix. 😦

With the engine running, I blipped the throttle using the linkage and there it was; absolutely pouring out of the carb pump body. The leak stops when the engine is returned to idle. There’s no good place to have a petrol leak but having one that drips / pours directly onto the exhaust manifold is perhaps the least favourable location.

To establish what was going on, a closer look was required…

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Carb removed from the engine 
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Although the picture doesn’t show it, the petrol is leaking down the pump actuator (on my index finger) from the pump body (on my thumb)
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After disconnecting the control rod, these 6 brass screws were removed… To reveal…
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The cause of the leak!
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This diaphragm should have rubber all the way round the brass plate. It doesn’t, just leaving the fabric and causing the leak
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Same on the other side
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Given the condition of the diaphragm and the “sludge” in the pump body (left) the cynic in me says this part of the carb didn’t receive the fullest attention during the restoration.
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To keep everything where it should be, the pump body was thoroughly cleaned and the carb reassembled 

 

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F: Pump membrane assembly. Part number 503900. A quick search though a few of the online Land Rover parts suppliers show they are readily available. 
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Carb sat back on the intake manifold wearing a rubber glove to keep the inevitable dust out

I’ve contacted the firm who did the work and I hope they can send me a replacement diaphragm / membrane…