OMC carb issue

[opposedtwin]

A few years ago I went through the carb (gaskets, packing, etc) on my Johnson FD-12. It has run great every summer until this spring. Could not seem to get it running. Fuel running out the front of the carb so I’m assuming stuck needle or float that won’t float. Took it apart tonight and that little wire clip holding the needle to the float arm was sitting in the bottom of the bowl. Took me a few minutes to remember how it is installed and why it’s relevant. It basically pulls the needle out of the seat when the float drops down and prevents the needle from sticking, correct? It seems those little wire clps only come with the rubber tipped needles, am I right about that?

Anyway, I reinstalled the clip but it seems like a hokey, crappy set up and it will be only a matter of time before it comes loose again. I’m hoping the problem was simply a stuck needle but I’ll find out tomorrow when I put the carb back on and give it a go.

 

A couple observations when disassembling the carb I so meticulously cleaned and re-built a few years ago:

-the packing seems to be deteriorating much faster than I thought it might. I added a piece to each needle.
-the carb is still very clean even though I tend to run this motor ALOT each summer.

Please let me know your thoughts on this little wire clip and whether or not you guys like/dislike the rubber tipped needles. In the future, if the needle is not grooved I think I’ll leave it be.

Thanks!
Scott

 

[billw]

The rubber tips are an improvement over the solid needles, in my opinion. At some point, the tips changed from black to kind of orange. This was supposed to signify a Viton material,, ethanol-resistant tip. Lately, I am not sure they still offer the orange tips? As for the clip, very often an engine wouldn’t start because the tip of the needle would get stuck in the seat. That spring is a huge step forward. Tecumseh used the same type of thing in their small power equipment engines. It’s hard to say from the picture but it looks to me like the hook end that attaches to the needle is a little deformed and so may not stay on the needle like it should. That small area of the clip should be more of a “C” shape than a “U” shape.

Long live American manufacturing!

[fleetwin]

I agree with Bill, I have never had an issue with the spring clips coming off.  Like Bill says, looks like the clip end of the spring/retainer has been deformed slightly allowing it to slip off the needle.  I realize you want to use the engine this weekend, so you might just want to remove the clip for now to avoid a repeat situation.  Order the clip, or perhaps a new OEM carb kit, and install it over the winter.

[opposedtwin]

I have other kits in stock. I’ll dig one out and see if the clip is damaged or bent. Not sure I’ve seen the orange tipped version of the needle, only the black.

Billw, what is the advantage of the rubber tipped needle over the solid type? Seems like the rubber oneswould be prone to sticking, thus the need for a clip to pull it down and out.

Thanks guys!

 

[frankr]

I consider the soft tipped needles to be a big improvement over the solid ones because they seal so much better.   However, they do have the sticking issue, thus the clip to drag it off the seat when the float drops.  Overall, a very good system.

[opposedtwin]

With wire clip back in place it’s running great once again!!
thanks guys!

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