DescriptionThis video provides step-by-step instructions for replacing the float needle and seat on Briggs and Stratton small engines, commonly found in Toro, John Deere, Craftsman, and Murray lawn mowers, riding tractors, zero-turn radius mowers, wheeled edgers, pressure washers, and generators. The most common reason for replacing the float needle and seat is when the carburetor fills with gas and the engine won’t start.
All of the information in this float needle and seat replacement video is applicable to the following brands: Briggs & Stratton, Toro, John Deere, Lawn Boy, Craftsman, Murray
Tools used: Phillips head screwdriver, 5/16” socket or nut driver, pliers, 1/4” socket or nut driver, locking pliers, 3/8” socket or nut driver, 1/2” socket, 1/16” punch, 3/16” punch
Step-By-Step Instructions1
Before you replace the float needle in your engine’s carburetor first make sure the engine has cooled.
2
Next, you should remove the wire and boot from the spark plug to prevent the engine from accidentally starting.
3
Use a phillips-head screwdriver to unthread the mounting screws securing the engine cover.
4
Release the starter rope from the retainer and pull the cover off.
5
Use a 5/16th inch socket or nut driver to unthread the screw securing the air filter cover.
6
Remove the cover and the filter then use a phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screw securing the carburetor cover.
7
Pull the cover off and remove the three screws securing the air filter housing.
8
Detach the breather tube to release the housing.
9
Now use pliers to detach the air vane spring.
10
Use a quarter-inch socket or nut driver to unthread the shoulder bolt securing the vane to the carburetor.
11
Use locking pliers to crimp the fuel line then release the retaining clamp and pull the fuel line off of the carburetor.
12
Use a 3/8th inch socket or nut driver to remove the carburetor mounting bolts.
13
Detach the carburetor from the throttle rod
14
Now use a half-inch socket to loosen the carburetor bowl mounting nut.
15
Unthread the nut and pull off the bowl.
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Pull out the pin securing the float assembly and lift off the float and needle.
17
Remove the old needle from the float and use a 1/16th inch punch to remove the old needle seat.
18
You’re now ready to install the new needle and seat.
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With the grooved side facing down, insert the new needle seat in the carburetor.
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You can use a 3/16th inch punch to fully seat it.
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Attach the new needle to the float then position the needle and float and secure it with the pin.
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Thread the nut and tighten to secure the bowl.
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Reattach the carburetor to the throttle rod and secure the carburetor with the mounting bolts.
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Replace the shoulder bolt to secure the air vane.
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Reattach the air vane spring.
27
Reattach the fuel line to the port on the carburetor and secure it with the retaining clamp.
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Remove the locking pliers.
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Reattach the breather tube to the breather post and align the air filter housing.
30
Rethread the screws and torque them to three-and-a-half foot pounds.
31
Realign the carburetor cover and rethread the screw.
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With the filter in place, reposition the filter cover and rethread the screw to secure.
33
Realign the engine cover.
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Rethread and tighten the mounting screws.
35
Depress the bail arm, extend the starter rope and secure it in the retainer.
36
With the repair completed reattach the wire and boot to the spark plug refill the fuel tank and your engine should be ready for use.