Carb bowl - cracked overflow tube

[JamesH]

Have been doing a few sets of carbs recently and seem to be coming across more and more cracked float bowl overflow tubes.

Often overlooked and symptoms suggest the float height is wrong / float valve is leaking when actually these can both be spot on and the carb leak is due to fuel just flowing through the crack in the tube.

All of my bike are us imports - just wondering if the dreaded ethanol has anything to do with this?

Anyway, my normal fix is to use two-part clear epoxy to repair the crack and then run a fine drill down the tube once the epoxy is set to confirm the path is clear.

Anyone use a different approach to fix?

[JustcallmeMrT]

I haven't had to deal with this myself, but have heard of people sleeving it with a thin piece of metal tubing and soldering that in place, or have read someone suggesting heat shrink, but would think that'd be eaten away by the fuel.

[Bryanj]

For the really bad ones drill them out and replace with threaded brass tube, I think it happens more when the tube gets water in it and then freezes

[Norniron]

For the really bad ones drill them out and replace with threaded brass tube, I think it happens more when the tube gets water in it and then freezes

That sounds the most plausible Bryan.
Wee bit of plumbers flux and solder it up.make sure you clean off the excess flux