Honda Carb Drain Plug

GarryinNC · Dec 26, 2017

I have a Honda Sportrax 90 ATV that has the petcock built into the float bowl assembly. On the bottom of the petcock part of the casting is an aluminium drain plug of about 3/4 inch diameter. This plug has a hole corroded through it about 1/16 inch in size. Does anyone have any ideas on how to patch this hole? What material might work and stand up to gas? I thought about drilling it and putting about a #4 screw and nut with an o ring for a seal.

The plug is not available from Honda unless you buy a float bowl assy. for $74 or a whole carb for $106. China made carbs are available for around $25. I would go with one of those if I thought the bowl would fit my OEM carb. May do that anyway. All ideas welcome.

Garry

Bob M · Dec 26, 2017

I've had good luck using a suitably
sized sheet metal screw, buttered with
a bit of JB Weld then screwed into the
hole. Then give it a couple days to
let the JB Weld fully cure before
exposing it to gasoline.

DeltaRed · Dec 26, 2017

Jb weld,or gas tank sealer.It is a putty like substance that you knead to 'activate'. Then apply to hole. It WORKS. Get it at NAPA or your favorite auto parts store.

Steve@Advance · Dec 26, 2017

I've used several of the China cheap carbs with good results.

If the bowl is that corroded, good chance the inside looks worse than the outside. Surprised it is still
running right.

GarryinNC · Dec 26, 2017

The inside of the float bowl itself looked okay and cleaned up fine, it was just that reservoir part under the petcock that had a white corrosion in it. Had been running avgas in it and doing fine. One of the kids put some E10 in it and then the exhaust valve stuck(and bent) while one of their friends was riding it. Then it sat untouched for over a year. I am not at all implying that the E10 made the valve stick. I really am not sure what caused the corrosion either. Sitting, I guess. It has a plastic fuel tank, so no problems there. I really have never seen these small Honda engines have a valve sticking problem.

Garry

docmirror · Dec 26, 2017

the E10 fuel is hydroscopic. It attracts water. When the fuel/water combo sits in the carb for a while the zinc leaches out of the casting and leaves the residue.

For antique carbs with corroded float bowls, I've cleaned them skotchbright followed with steel wool. Then if there real damage I fix it by brazing the bowl. Clean it real, real clean before brazing. If you don't know how to braze, take it to a welder and let him do it.

Or, go get the Chinese carb and replace it every two years. Running av-gas will help. It has a much longer shelf life.

Honda Carb Drain Plug

GarryinNC

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Bob M

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DeltaRed

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Steve@Advance

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GarryinNC

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docmirror

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