Float valve sticking closed and unable to remove float pin.

[Tdarms]

I recently purchased my first boat. It's a small john baot with a 1981 9.8 Merc. The engine is not working. The spark plugs fire, so I am looking at the carb (this is my first time working on anything with a carb). I've already disassembled it and given it a good cleaning. I feel pretty confident that the problem is that the float valve is sticking closed. With the carb off, I can blow through the fuel line and feel the air passing through the carb. When I turn it upside down (to simulate the float being raised) I feel the air flow being cut off. All this is how a carb should work, right? The problem is when I turn the carb right side up again, air flow does not return until I build up enough pressure and then i5 suddenly releases and starts to flow again.

I assume that means I should replace the float valve and valve seat. Hears the real problem though. I can't seem to remove the float to get to the valve. The pin that holds the float should simply slide out, right? I'm not sure if it's blued in or bent but the pin won't even budge. The ends of the pin look chewed up. Am I missing something simple here? Could I drill out the pin? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Star]

Re: Float valve sticking closed and unable to remove float pin.

Tdarms,
Yes it sounds like you are on the right track. I think the pin is knurled on one end and must be driven out in one direction only. Use the punch on the unknurled end. Soak it first with your best penatrating oil. Pot metal breaks easily.
I also agree that the valve is not working, but I think the float pivot is binding, it must be very free. The rubber tip needles
will stick if deformed. Good luck you are almost there!!!

 

[Sunfish12]

Re: Float valve sticking closed and unable to remove float pin.

If the pin is frozen in there really good you while break the tabs where the pin slides through if you hit it. If it's knarled at the end someone else tried to get it out. You need to soak it(PB Blaster) and if you can get a needle nose vise grip on the end, very gently work it back and forth to free it up.

 

[Tdarms]

Re: Float valve sticking closed and unable to remove float pin.

Thanks you guys, I'll give the PB Blaster a chance to work its magic.

 

[Tdarms]

Re: Float valve sticking closed and unable to remove float pin.

Nail set and PB blaster did the trick. Got a rebuild kit in the mail. Thanks guys.

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Float valve sticking closed and unable to remove float pin.

Remember, back in 1981 no one thought that there would be 10% Ethanol in your fuel. Yours like mine will have a rubber tipped needle valve that is not Ethanol compliant .... in other words, it swells when it sits in Ethanol! If you don't replace your needles with a new needle, or you don't pull your fuel line at the end of the day and run a little fuel out of the bowl, within a few days your needle is stuck in the seat. I lived this nightmare last year and I have new needles ready to go in this year.

I wouldn't recommend running your motor completely out of fuel except for the end of the season, a 2 stroke gets lubrication from the mix, no fuel, no oil. Running just so the float isn't in the full up position is good enough to avoid this. Once it's stuck in there, tapping it won't free it, it's time to pull the carb! My pin is nurled but it was never stuck, it should come out of there. Maybe a little gumout to disolve some gum, but I hear that's not good for the whole carb.