Babe Bee Help

Thanks for the Quick response Ken, I had a hunch that might bee the case but though I'd ask beefore I took it apart.

Oh how I feel your pain Joe.. Is it an old Babe Bee with a copper/star-shaped reed? If it's damaged.. I have some spare ones that I could send you.. if don't have any. The copper-reed is fragile.. (.001" thick..) so you have to handle it with care.

When you take it apart.. if the reed looks ok (not creased or broken) check to see if it's "stuck" to the seat. This can happen if you haven't run the engine in a while. Remove the circlip/retainer and blow-through the venturi to see if the reed falls out. Do this over a bowl.. or something to catch the reed.. so you don't lose it. If it's stuck, try soaking the tank-bowl in a small container of solvent or glow-fuel overnight.. then try to GENTLY lift the reed using a sewing-pin or needle. Be CAREFUL not to bend/crease it.. or scratch the seat. Soak it some more if it's still stuck. Once you free the reed.. swab the "seat" with a Q-tip soaked with solvent/glow-fuel.

The copper-reed is best handled by wetting your index finger with saliva and touching it. This will usually transfer it to your finger. What "I've" done to clean my copper reeds.. is to face two small wood-blocks with 600-grit sandpaper.. place the reed between the two.. and radially twist the blocks ONCE or TWICE.. then inspect. This is usually enough to remove any dried-fuel residue.

I recommend good lighting.. and using a magnifying-glass.

While the tank is off.. check/replace the venturi-gasket. Also check the fuel pick-up and its position in the tank. If it's kinked or looks cracked.. replace it.

There's lot's of other variables with Cox "tanked-engines".. but if yours hasn't seen many rebuilds.. you shouldn't have to worry about the more in-depth issues that can be addressed.

Good luck Joe.. I hope you get it running back smoothly again.

Thanks for the offer Roddie but when I started back into this cox engine thing again I bought a bunch of spare parts from Bernie and Matt . It was just weird how one day it was running great and then Not.Probably going to tear it down tonight.Thanks again for the help

akjgardner wrote:Thanks for the offer Roddie but when I started back into this cox engine thing again I bought a bunch of spare parts from Bernie and Matt . It was just weird how one day it was running great and then Not.Probably going to tear it down tonight.Thanks again for the help

Glad that you have spare parts.. you can NEVER have enough of them! Best of luck Joe!

OK, Im a little hesitant to post this cuz your all going to think I'm smoking crack, When I took the tank off I noticed a bunch of debris in it, I thought what in the world is that. It looked like congealed fuel of some sort or curled up plastic. When I took the tank off the engine and looked to see what was stuck in the reed valve , I was shocked to see the retainer in place but no reed.So the only thing I can think of is that the reed was very old and on a power stroke it blew the reed back through the hole.I put a new mylar reed in it and it started right up and runs like a scalded dog. Go figure ?

Glad you have possibly figured it out. Now, if I may ask. Was it originally a copper star shaped reed held in place with the metal circlip? If so, I see you make mention of using a mylar replacement. If so, which shape and or design reed did you use, as i have one here that sounds similar to yours. Thank you for your time.

I"m not sure what the original reed was, but from the debris I found in the tank , I'm guessing it was mylar or maybe a home made jobie. the tank is different than any other tank that I have. The backplate has sort of a nickel color.

Glad you got the engine running Joe! Like a "scalded-dog" pretty much says it all!!!