float valve

D

DBrer

Senior Member
I changed the float valve, and put in one of the flexible tip ones and it leaked. I took it apart and checked for metal in the valve and reinstalled it. It still leaked. I
I installed a new (old style) and no leaks. Has anyone else had a bad experience with this type of valve?
 
Yes
I buy them in bulk and it’s and about 7 out of 12 work.
I’m like you .... I like the steel ones if they have a good seat. I use a hand vacuum pump to test and if they will hold vacuum they are good. If not they will leak.
Larry
 
He probably gives them a ‘gentle’ ‘stake to help seat the needle to its seat. I do they and try a very light lap . You can check your seat with a Vaccuum pump to see if it’s leaking as my previous post noted.
 
Tapping, staking or hammering on Viton valves to seat them; might make them leak worse because the "rubber" will be damaged.
 
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Benson, I did not say nor would I ever recommend staking a Viton needle . Only the old style steel needles .
I use a rubber hose with adapters to upsize to fit the float valve at the inlet. It must fit right.
A decent quality hand pump should do the job. Test it first to make sure there are no leaks with it.
 
Larry My comment was not aimed at you or any one person … I have seen damaged valves in the past and wanted to get the word out.

I should have made that clear in my posting.
 
So Larry, do the 5 out of 12 that leak get sent back? I wonder what happens to them? I would think if a vendor is getting 5 out of 12 back they would refine their process. In recent valves I have looked at that leaked there were no shavings, but sharp brass edges that seemed to catch on the inside cylinder. By rounding off these edges the valve seemed to work without issue. Not that anyone wants to rework a "new" part.

Jerry
 
I took apart a original style float valve and it has a o ring seat. Having a neoprene needle and medal seat with the new style, does it appear to be any better? and if so why?
 
I have been using Viton tip float valves from Bratton's for years with very good results. Early on I had problems with machine chip debris found inside the valve. I called Walt Bratton and he followed up with his supplier. I still take them apart and inspect them before installation.

I have noticed that the Viton tip likes to be soaked in gasoline to work correctly. If a rebuilt Zenith is stored for a period of time it may initially leak when installed. As soon as it had a good soaking in gas it will work properly.

Tom Endy
 
I called it neoprene sorry. So Tom you recommend soaking the viton needle in gas before installing, how long do you think it should soak?
 
I have found that the float can contribute to the problem. You need to inspect carburetor float hinge bracket, frequently the float valve needle will wear a dimple in the hinge bracket and the dimple will impede the float travel and thus not completely seat the needle in the float valve. See the below photos of two floats with dimples from years of contact with the float valve needle.

I have sanded the bracket to remove the dimple.
 

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160 B, Thats a great point, the next time I have a leak I will be sure to check that. It makes sense that the float needs to be smooth so the float won't push the needle at any kind of angle.
 
The tractor now has a viton tip valve. Unfortunately the alcohol in the gas seems to cause the valve to "hang up" certainly for first start in the spring - and rarely thereafter if I miss mowing for a couple of weeks or more.

A sharp rap with a wrench on the carb body usually frees the float.

Were it not for this idiosyncrasy I would definitely prefer the viton type valve. As it is - it works for me.

Joe K
 
160B said:
I have found that the float can contribute to the problem. You need to inspect carburetor float hinge bracket, frequently the float valve needle will wear a dimple in the hinge bracket and the dimple will impede the float travel and thus not completely seat the needle in the float valve. See the below photos of two floats with dimples from years of contact with the float valve needle.

I have sanded the bracket to remove the dimple.
Click to expand...

The one on the left is a very significant rub spot. Minor ones can be worked always with adrenal flapper wheel but those look bad enough I would use a different float.
I agree that the vitons se to like to be wet and do better with constant use.
They seem inconsistent at times from my experience. I’ve sucked up the fact that the ones I have haven’t worked as well as some but I’d really like to here from the guy who supplies them. I think he’s in Ohio . Who knows who hay is?
Please let me know . Maybe there’s something I’m not doing right but I don’t think so. I’m probably a little more schooled and equipped than the average bear at it.... but I’m not perfect and can always learn .

Larry
 
I have had the same problem lately where the Viton tip sticks in the closed position. May be my imagination but the one that are sticking in the closed posisition are missing a slight recess where the tip meets the brass. I made a very slight recess in a couple of them with a letter "Q" drill bit and it seams to have fixed the problem. I'm still in the testing mode though. Dave
 
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