Well, I'll knock on wood when I say this (*raps himself on head*) but I've inadvertently soaked a few Volvo ruinning Volvo engines with fuel and never had a fire ball erupt. CERTAINLY not to say that such a situation isn't a ticking time bomb, just that it isn't a loaded, cocked, hair trigger shotgun either.

Once the cold start line cracked on my 1800E at a light. When I took off I first noticed the wheels spun. Then I looked back and saw a puddle. Then the wave of gas smell hit me. I pulled over and opened the hood and *everything* was just drenched in gasoline. I was about one spark away from Volvo flambe' - but then there aren't that many open sparks under the hood (thank goodness).

Some half-baked ideas on how to clear grit-jammed float valves (i.e. short of taking the lid off the bowl and cleaning it - which isn't too hard if these things don't work).
- While driving - pull the choke open and floor it (4th gear) - the theory being that the extra flow might get the float valce to open slightly and let the grit on through. Full choke and WOT uses a lot of gas - perhaps the little amount the grit is holding it open isn't sufficient and the level drops and the valve opens.
- If that doesn't work, pull over. With the engine running squeeze the rubber fuel line shut with some pliers (making sure not to rip/tear/crack). Leave it shut, starving the carbs for fuel, until the engine stumbles, then release it. Same theory as above - only more so.
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I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.