200 Needle Valve Question

I got my 200 to fire but discovered when I tried to crank it that it was not getting fuel. Pulled the drain plug in the carburetor and there was no gasoline in the bowl. The valve at the tank was new and open and the tank has been cleaned and lined. I loosened the fuel line and had gasoline at the outside of the carburetor. The carburetor is a Carter and I had it professionally rebuilt about 2-years ago but just recently got the motor unstuck and put back togather (the carburetor has been in storage). I pulled the carburetor and opened it up. I had already replaced the needle valve (had to buy an entire carburetor kit from NAPA just to get a needle valve). The reason for the needle valve replacement was due to the fact that the original valve had hardened in storage for two years. All this for background. NOW, I find that the needle valve is sticking closed. The kit from NAPA included a little cricket spring that had not been installed by the professional guy. I did not install it when I replaced the needle valve. There was no diagram with the kit to show me just how to install the spring. Now that the valve is sticking closed, I tried to see how the spring would fit in a way to hold the valve open until the float applies closing pressure. The only way I could see was to put the two cricket legs into the groves in the valve seat. Is this right? Thanks.

Make sure there is no dirt in the needle/seat, one spec of dirt is all it takes for the valve to stick.

I'd have to go out to the shop and open a kit to see for sure, but usually that little clip snaps into a groove on the needle, not the seat, and then attaches somehow to the float. The theory being that the weight of the float will pull the needle down just enough to fuel flow.

I was afraid you would say that. It will not be easy to make it fit. I tried that first but will try again. Thanks.

Thanks Andy. She is clean with no trash at this time. I will try again tommorrow and let you know what happens. I think I am about to ge this tractor running. LMack

If it gives you too much grief, just forget that little clip. Clean the needle and seat real good, put the carb back together and install it. Most likely it will be just fine, but if it sticks again, just tap on the carb with a plastic screw driver handle or something similar. Might have to get a bit serious with it, but don't get too aggresive because that Carter carb is rather flimsy.