Weber storage?

[PDUB]

Hi, Friends,

I have acquired a nice set of Weber 48 IDAs, for future use. They are in great shape and have been run a bit, though not much, so they have had petrol in them. They still have a fairly strong petrol smell! I will not be using them for a while, so they need to be stored, such that they will not be needing a rebuild when I pull them out for use.

Is it possible to set them up to, shall we say, sleep for a while? How should I prepare them for a temporary slumber, while keeping them in tiptop shape? I would appreciate your thoughts on the subject. Thanks in advance!

[Alfa02]

Hi Paul, I'm well versed in 40DCOE's from the Alfa days, drain plug in the bottom, idea case is of course, running them dry, but you're past that stage. Brent (EM-0785) bought a set of 48IDA from another club member this year, after looking them over, I would say pull the top off (Careful with the floats) and just soak the gas out with a rag or paper towels, than just a shot (Low Pressure) air to the jets. That should do it, Hope that help's Paul, Cheers Tom.

[KarlzEE Bebout]

Paul, God I hate to say this, but Alfa, AKA TOMMYROT gave good advice. I would also store the Webers in the house to avoid any extreme temperatures that might happen in a garage or other non climate controlled storage. Also depending on length of storage, you may find rebuilding will be needed if the gaskets dry out. Just my 2¢

[Alfa02]

I know it's pretty tough to take when TommyRot gets one right Even a broken clock is right twice a day

[PDUB]

thanks guys! Yes, planning to keep them in climate controlled storage, so no worries there. I will endeavor to drain/wipe out the bowls, then put a little air through the jets.

Is there a way to preserve the gaskets? How long does it take for them to dry out/go bad?

[Alfa02]

I would think Paul, temperature change is their worst enemy (Gaskets). But someone else may a better idea. The Webers & Manifold that Brent picked up, was from our good friend Terry, he had them on his glass coffee table in the living room, till his girlfriend moved in "That Smell!!" Terry said "That's Horsepower Honey." Cheers Tom.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

Terry, he had them on his glass coffee table in the living room, till his girlfriend moved in "That Smell!!" Terry said "That's Horsepower Honey." Cheers Tom.

in this case, there wasn't enough horsepower to carry the day!

[1985 CCX]

You may want to simply spray with WD40, it will help keep gaskets from drying and in essence keep it clean.

[PDUB]

OK, thanks, Jeff! Will do...

[peterpjb]

huge problem, the fuel in the jets will go rank within six month, and the jets will be clogged, you have to disassemble the carburetors before storage and clean every part and every jet from fuel, it is much less work than disassemble afterwards

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

I would say pull the top off (Careful with the floats) and just soak the gas out with a rag or paper towels, than just a shot (Low Pressure) air to the jets. That should do it, Hope that help's Paul, Cheers Tom.

Originally Posted by peterpjb

huge problem, the fuel in the jets will go rank within six month, and the jets will be clogged, you have to disassemble the carburetors before storage and clean every part and every jet from fuel, it is much less work than disassemble afterwards

are you saying that what Tom says is not enough or validating that this should get all the fuel out, as you both seem to be suggesting?

[peterpjb]

yes, the volatile parts of the fuel will disappear and the leftover is a kind of resin which is hard to clean…

[KarlzEE Bebout]

I'd suggest giving every jet orifice a good shot of carb cleaner or brake clean and then apply some low pressure air through them, after emptying the fuel bowls. I do like the idea of giving the gaskets a shot of WD40.
Fortunately, I haven't had to have my Webers in storage. They are on the car and I run the snot out of it.

[Alfa02]

So, the jest I'm getting from peterjb, Paul. You're going to have to pull them apart (now) and rebuild them, rather than later (Easier to clean) My DCOE's were always fine for the next season, by draining them, and low-pressure air, but IDA's maybe different??? Or the difference could be fuel, I ran nothing but 109 VP race gas, the 92 oct. street gas may cause deposit's?? Sorry Buddy, never meant to steer you wrong, Cheers Tom.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

So, the gist I'm getting from peterjb, Paul. You're going to have to pull them apart (now) and rebuild them, rather than later (Easier to clean) My DCOE's were always fine for the next season, by draining them, and low-pressure air, but IDA's maybe different??? Or the difference could be fuel, I ran nothing but 109 VP race gas, the 92 oct. street gas may cause deposit's?? Sorry Buddy, never meant to steer you wrong, Cheers Tom.

Never took it that way, Tom, so it's all good!! At this point, I am thinking that, if I get all the old petrol out, regardless of how, it does not matter what it started as, since it won't be in there!

[PDUB]

Forgot to post, but I got the Webers all cleaned up and tucked away for a rainy day - they were in pretty good shape to start with! Here is one of them.

Thanks, I appreciate all the replies!

[Laughing_Jakal]

Nice work!

[PDUB]

Thank you, Shep! Glad you are enjoying your car!