Trick for getting the Weber WFB carb cover off?

[springer3]

During last season I got zero change from one of my idle mixture screws, and big change from the other. Diagnosis is blockage in one idle circuit, and I need to rebuild (new carburetor is $950!)

I have the carburetor on a work bench, and have the cover screws off. The problem is the black paint has glued to cover so tight I am afraid of breaking something if I force it.

Anyone have a trick for getting the cover off harmlessly?

Thanks

 

[tdappleman]

It may not be the paint so don't force it. Do you have the center stud still screwed in? It is what the flame arrestor sits down on. On mine it had a small tab which actually held the cover on - needs to be removed. You can use vise grips or similar gripping tool to unscrew it and then the top should come right off. I think there are 8 torx bolts - 2 in each corner - plus you have to disconnect the various linkages before it really comes apart.

 

[springer3]

Many thanks. The center stud looks like it is pressed into the top cover only. I will give that a twist with vice grips and get it out. I was feeling like I was missing a hold-down screw, and that sounds like the trick.

Thanks again.

 

[springer3]

Update:

The Weber is back together but not back on the boat yet. I found the problem that caused rough idle and zero response to one of the idle adjust screws. I thought a passage was gummed up, but what I found was the float valve on one side was leaking. I could tell by the stain pattern in the bowl and on the float. Fuel level on that side was way high. The reason the idle adjustment never worked on that side was it was already too rich from the fuel overflow. At speed, the leak was less than the fuel needed, so the float controlled the level and the engine ran fine

This explains the "too rich" smell I got at idle. After thirteen years, there was quite a bit of nasty-looking stuff at the bottom of the float bowls, and the seals were hard. It is a joy to know that with reasonable care, I will not have to do this again for a decade or more. Prices: new carburetor: $950. Convert to TBI: $4500.

I have the boat winterized for the next three month's potential hard freezes, but cannot wait to get back on the water with this nagging problem resolved.

 

[berth control]

it's a great feeling when you figure it out on your own isn't it!?