Swinger articulated loader

Loaderman22 · Apr 14, 2017

Hello everyone,
I'm not sure where exactly to file this question. I have a Swinger articulating loader, with a Ford 172G 4 cyl. gas rear engine, Marvel updraft carb. & a hydrostatic trans with driveshafts to what I believe are GM (maybe Dana 70's) axles. This thing is super handy & maneuverable, decent power, 4wd and kinda fun to drive. I have done a fair amount of work to it, new starter, alternator, cables, but has had a few fuel issues. After using it one day, I noticed the carb started leaking gas. I shut off fuel & figured the float was stuck down. I pulled carb & hanged float needle & seat with new. The old looked perfect, but did it anyway. Set float to 1/4" off top half of carb, & left all other adjustments alone. Shook carb & could hear float moving up & down. Reinstall carb & it leaks. Remove & test float, floats in cold water, & no bubbles or hissing in hot water, no dents, & no signs of cracks. Rei stall & now it's picky, leaks sometimes, mostly out of air intake tube where it meets carb. But other times it doesn't leak at all. But it would typically run fine, just leak if gas isnt shut off when done. However the last few months its been running very weird, during the NY blizzard a couple months ago it ran perfect, other than that it starts fine & runs good for only a minute, after that it spits & sputters unless I pull out & hold choke almost all the way, then it runs as it should. I haven't touched a thing in the carb, but suddenly this weird bogging with choke open issue. If I hold choke out, runs great but I'm lost as to why. Do I need to clean carb? Maybe some dirt got in there?. Any thoughts? I thought maybe the gas leaking issue was a symptom or related.

bcp · Apr 14, 2017

It may be intermittent rust, water, or other contaminate from the tank. I would put a fuel filter directly before the carb, if it doesn't have one, then see what happened

Bruce

Loaderman22 · Apr 15, 2017

I do have one in line before carb, & I removed the one in the bottom of the tank. Could the gas in the plastic filter next to the hot exhaust manifold be doing some sort of vapor lock?

bcp · Apr 15, 2017

Vapor lock could be some of the running problems but it shouldn't make the carb leak. Try a temporary sheet metal shield, or even an aluminum foil shield.

Bruce

Stimw · Apr 15, 2017

I would completely disassemble the carb and blow out all passages with air and carb cleaner.
I bought a trencher with a 12 hp Kohler cheap, by the marks all over the carb someone tried to fix the leaking.
I found a dirt dobber clogged up the carb vent. When gas came in it air could not vent and forced gas up venturi tube.
Check vent.
Also- I have worked on 6 of those Ford 172's , 5 of them had cracked cylinder heads!!! NEVER LET IT OVERHEAT!
It's a common problem with them and used heads are hard to come by.

TractorGuy · Apr 16, 2017

I would definitely pull the carb and clean it completely. You might want to replace the float if you can get a new one. If it's brass hollow type pull it out and shake it near your ear to see if you can hear any liquid inside. If it's a solid type they will sometimes begin to absorb fuel and get heavier than they are supposed to be.

You might want to ask over at the Heavy Equipment Forum in the wheel loader section. Someone over there might be of more help.

Loaderman22 · Apr 16, 2017

It is the hollow brass float. Everytime I take it out it's dry inside. Plus after it back together I can flip carb over & hear it move so I don't think it's getting stuck. Gas comes out intake tube & loader typically starts so it's not filling carb fully, (not flooded) and I don't see cracks or holes between chambers of carb, but case is getting to other side somehow. I will pull carb again & clean everything. Thank you all for the good sound advice & knowledge. I will try other forum also.