- 1). Determine whether your float level is too high or too low. If too high, you will most likely have fuel run off through an overflow tube. If a glass sight window is present, the fuel level will be toward the upper side of the window. If your float level is too low, the vehicle will run out of fuel when driving at high speeds, or the window will show a fuel level toward the bottom of it. The fuel level should always be in the middle of the window and should not ever overflow.
- 2). Remove the carburetor or the float bowl. On motorcycles, the float bowl can often be removed while leaving the carburetor on the bike. On cars it depends on the model and location of the carburetor. Be careful not to drop or lose any small parts; the bowl and carburetor must be replaced exactly as removed.
- 3). Locate the hinge of the float and find the float needle, which will be a small metal or plastic rod that is pushed up by the bracket that holds the float. When the float is pushed up by the fuel, the float needle is pushed up, which closes off the fuel supply from the fuel tank. When the float goes down due to a lack of fuel, the needle drops, allowing more fuel in.
- 4). Push the tab that holds and pushes the float needle up 1/32 inch with a flat head screwdriver, if you have determined your carburetor float is too low. Pull it down the same distance, if you have determined your float is too high. Be very careful not to bend any other elements on the float assembly when doing this.
- 5). Replace the bowl or the carburetor, and replace the fuel line. Check the height of fuel through the window, or take a test drive and check the results. Readjust as necessary.
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