During the last few months I have come across the same problem about a dozen times, gummed up carbs.  Most embarrassingly it has also caught me.

  For some time now I have been aware that the nature of fuel we buy at the petrol station, has been changed.  I’m told that different compounds are now added to fuel, to offset the drop in lead, or no lead.   

  Now as you all will know All Seagulls run on unleaded petrol.  The problem I have found is an accumulation of gummy deposits in tanks, fuel lines and carbs.  All have needed thorough cleaning to remove this brown deposit, otherwise throttle slides don’t slide and jets get blocked.  The problem is, we have to store the engines away for the winter with fuel in the tanks, or the cork in the fuel tap dries out, as many will testify to, we then get this build up of deposit.  Has anyone an answer for me.??  I’m told it has also affected motor mowers and similar.

John Williams.  Saving Old Seagulls. 01621 778859