Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

[lagerted]

Not sure the exact make, it seems to go by many different names. The motor definitely days Tecumseh 642-15A on it. Bought a carb rebuild kit fot it. After replacing the needle seat and needle. It seems like the the needle seat is too thick. I can't even get close to adjusting the float to 11/64". The needle sticks out agood 1/16" too high. The carb kits for these seem to be standard. Are there a variety of thicknesses to these needles seats? Did I get the wrong kit? Or am I doing something else wrong?

I attached a couple photos of the angle of the float and the brass sleeve where needle seat goes minus the seat.

Thanks in advance.

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

The grove around that needle is supposed to go into a slot in the float arm.

 

[lagerted]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

The grove around that needle is supposed to go into a slot in the float arm.

There is no notch. The groove on the needle is for the spring clip. I attached an example I found online.

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

In that case, is the new needle the some length as the old one? Did a new seat come with the kit? If so, did you get all of the old seat out? And did the new seat go all the way in?

 

[lagerted]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

Yes the needle is the same length and the seat came in the kit. The old seat seems to fully removed,it was a similar orange color as the new one and there is no trace of it left it if you look at the photo looking in to the seat cavity. If I take the smooth end of a drill bit with a similar bore and measure how far down the cavity it goes with seat in and compare it with the seat out it is going all the way in. That's why my thought was that the seat was too thick. However the parts for these tecumseh series carbs seem very common between all the engine models, do the seats even come in different thicknesses?

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

That ragged edge at the bottom of the seat cavity, is it metal or some other material? It looks very much like the remnants of an old "O" ring.

 

[lagerted]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

I guess I can't tell. It does seem to be something other than metal. It doesn't want to come off easy that is for sure. Any recommendations on removing it? Maybe dissolving it out? It doesn't seem to be thick enough to account for the differnece in depth, notice the brass cavity ends right there where the black begins, but I will see if I can remove it and see how it fits..

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

I don't know that exact carburetor but I'm thinking that the seat is supposed to fit into the groove formed by the brass sleeve ending.
A hooked pick would be the best tool to remove the old one.

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

Looks like there were two needles for that Tecumseh engine;

Parts and Diagrams for Tecumseh AV520-642-15A

PS - DO NOT yank the starter with an ungrounded plug wire! It will sometimes fry the solid state ignition, and you don't want any of that, my friend.

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

If that's the right model number, they're only showing the 93A for yours. And anyway you said that the needles were identical.

 

[lagerted]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

You were right. There was the remnant of something. Guessing a black needle seat. I swear the old one was orange. It's been while since I looked at it. I poked at it a bit but it wouldn't budge. Then I took a paper clip and bent it at an obtuse angle, took one swipe and it popped out. It's exactly the thickness of the needle seat. So the needle seat now pops right in to place and the needle is able to fully enter the cavity. Thanks for your help. I'm sure the float will level out now.

 

[JB]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

I have a thing about Tecumseh air cooled engines. I used them on my racing karts back in the '60s. I found that they vibrate so much that float level is critical.

When I switched to chainsaw style diaphragm carbs with the built in fuel pumps I had no further trouble. Be sure that the venturi diameter is the same or larger than the carb you might replace.

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: Float level on Sears-Eska-Tecumseh 4.5hp

Be sure the open end of that spring clip is pointed at the intake end of the carb when you install it. it will jack your stash otherwise.