Just thought I would let everyone that is interested in the latest SB on replacing hollow plastic and brass floats in the carbs, that Volare is now shipping the new "Foam Filled" floats.
I just replaced mine per the SB.
For a MA4-5, the correct part number is 30-862.
I ordered mine from A.E.R.O. They backordered the float but it showed up in less than a week.
The new float is solid foam and is smurf blue.
You will also need:
1ea 16-A31 Gasket - Throttle Body to Bowl
1ea 82-11 Cotter Pin
6ea 78-A97 Washer - Throttle Body to Bowl Screw
My original was brass but I have heard too many bad stories of floats sinking so I decided to bite the bullet and get it replaced before I am ready to fly. A local RV9 had an engine failure on his way to the Bahamas in his new plane. Brand new Lycoming and a sunk float was the culprit. Lucky for him he found a strip to land on.
Carbs and Float SB's
Carbs and Float SB's
Brantel (Brian Chesteen),
RV12-IS, #121606, N912BC - Building Now!
RV10, #41942, N????? - Project Sold
RV-7/TU, #72823, N159SB - SOLD
RV12-IS, #121606, N912BC - Building Now!
RV10, #41942, N????? - Project Sold
RV-7/TU, #72823, N159SB - SOLD
you know this is kind of strange that in the bulletin they mention how "because the carburetor lasts so long the brass float hinge can wear out and can allow the pontoons to rub the side of the bowl and get a hole in it." that would tend to make me think it was ok for several years /hours if it was new as is the case with me. But I have to disassemble to see if its brass or foam. And those folks at volare are quite a bunch of non customer oriented people. They don’t return calls or e-mails. When they lead you on to think they will...they are just trying to wear me down....not something a builder typically succumbs to. 
how much ?
how much ?
william....don't let it beat you down, you are stronger than you think.
Thru AERO it was $87.77.
I hear you on the Volare bunch. I think most of their problems is in the fact that they are starting from scratch trying to deal with all the crud that goes along with selling certified parts.
I never got anything out of them directly but it was no problem once I figured out I was being forced to work thru a distributor. I must say that AERO is awesome to deal with!
To the defence of Volare, the float came with very detailed instructions, clear color pictures etc. The float looks great. 8103 also included.
I bet once they get fully in gear, they will be OK. I think they way underestimated what they were getting into.
It is pretty easy to figure out if you have a brass one in there without busting it open. Just rotate it back and forth and if it is brass, it will "tink" when it flops up and down.
If it is the hollow plastic one, it should not "tink" It is also very easy to take it apart, the parts for reassembly are not that much so if you do this, make sure you change out the gasket and the locking washers for a neat job. Don't use sharp metal objects to unlock the locking washers as this will scratch up the carb body and the screws. Just turn the screws to take them out, they will turn with a screwdriver even when locked. Throw out the locking washers and put new ones in on reassembly. Use a piece of plastic to bend the tabs back around the screws so you dont scratch up the carb and the washers.
I doubt you have the solid foam one unless the carb is very new or is marked with FF on the tag somewhere.
The other issue is that this SB on the brass float only applies to the Precision made ones. The ones from Kelly and anyone else do not apply...
So if you have a brass one, how are you going to know who made it? There is no way to tell as far as I can determine. Mine was brass but there was no way to tell who made it....
I hear you on the Volare bunch. I think most of their problems is in the fact that they are starting from scratch trying to deal with all the crud that goes along with selling certified parts.
I never got anything out of them directly but it was no problem once I figured out I was being forced to work thru a distributor. I must say that AERO is awesome to deal with!
To the defence of Volare, the float came with very detailed instructions, clear color pictures etc. The float looks great. 8103 also included.
I bet once they get fully in gear, they will be OK. I think they way underestimated what they were getting into.
It is pretty easy to figure out if you have a brass one in there without busting it open. Just rotate it back and forth and if it is brass, it will "tink" when it flops up and down.
If it is the hollow plastic one, it should not "tink" It is also very easy to take it apart, the parts for reassembly are not that much so if you do this, make sure you change out the gasket and the locking washers for a neat job. Don't use sharp metal objects to unlock the locking washers as this will scratch up the carb body and the screws. Just turn the screws to take them out, they will turn with a screwdriver even when locked. Throw out the locking washers and put new ones in on reassembly. Use a piece of plastic to bend the tabs back around the screws so you dont scratch up the carb and the washers.
I doubt you have the solid foam one unless the carb is very new or is marked with FF on the tag somewhere.
The other issue is that this SB on the brass float only applies to the Precision made ones. The ones from Kelly and anyone else do not apply...
So if you have a brass one, how are you going to know who made it? There is no way to tell as far as I can determine. Mine was brass but there was no way to tell who made it....
Brantel (Brian Chesteen),
RV12-IS, #121606, N912BC - Building Now!
RV10, #41942, N????? - Project Sold
RV-7/TU, #72823, N159SB - SOLD
RV12-IS, #121606, N912BC - Building Now!
RV10, #41942, N????? - Project Sold
RV-7/TU, #72823, N159SB - SOLD
