Balance Pipe Seal Failure?

[David Morris]

Hi there,

A colleague of ours in Severnside section has a Javelin engine problem which has got us stumped. The engine hunts, has severe flat spots and very little power. We have tried many things, and at the moment, it looks as though it might be a fault on the balance pipe?

Has anyone out there had experience of the 'O' rings on the balance pipe failing? If so, what were the symptoms? Fortunately, I have not experienced this fault ( thank goodness! ) and would appreciate any info from someone who has?

Many thanks,

David

[Forumadmin]

Yes, I have had O rings fail. On mine there was lots of smoke out of the exhaust. I suggest you have a really good listen with a tube in your ear or stethoscope, concentrate around the base of the carbs, throttle spindle and then follow the breather pipe into the oil filler, once I had this pipe split under the oil filter with the symtoms you describe. If no hissing then check the breather valve by putting your finger over the inlet in the oil filler.

Failing that check springs are still on in the distributor mechanical advance.

Then put paper over end of exhaust pipe and see if turns black indicate rich mixture, (the smell of the exhaust can also indicate this, but I do not suggest breathing for long!). If it is, then carb float valves and all manner of carb things to check.

[David Morris]

Hi Keith,

Many thanks for the tips. The breather pipe to the breather valve was a length of yellow plastic pipe and was changed yesterday for a proper Jowett one, which significantly improved things. So, we are probably on the right track!

Many thanks,

David