I'm getting a very strong smell of petrol when the engine's stopped after I've been out for a run in my car. Sniffing around, it seems to be coming from the top of carb, through the air filter (I've checked for leaks elsewhere).

It's a 32/36 DGAV on a 1660cc x-flow, using the engine's mechanical fuel pump (so hopefully not over-pressure). My first thought is that it's either a dirty float valve, or it's gone out of adjustment and the level's too high.

Can anyone say whether my guesses are likely candidates, and is there anything else I can look at when I've got the lid off the carb?

cheers,
David

Have seen the floats breaking away from the soldered joints on these carbs which usually just floods the engine. Could be a build up of heat in the engine bay which in turn is boiling off the petrol in the float chamber ( can you hear it boiling when you stop the engine it should be audible).
That's my tuppence worth for now someone else will be along soon.

mine stinks of fuel too, 1640 with twin webers. I had assumed it was a natural thing, probably wrong though... All adds to the buzz

I'm using the same carb - but there were many versions. On my particular version there is a small but significant hole into the top of the float chamber if you look carefully. This is obviously meant to be there to release pressure when fuel enters. I think this couple to the fact the engine warms the carb mean that warm fuel evaporates through this small hole when the car has been out for a run...

Cheers