200E Carburator Questions/Problems

[R-N-D]

This is for a friend of mine and some issues he is having with his carb. First: Does anyone know how a float goes bad? Is the float valve capable of causing a hole within the float itself? And, how can a float valve get damaged?

Next, it seems that since my buddy changed some of the internals within his carb the trike will only run with the choke on. Any suggestions there? Any comments or suggestions for the float and float valve? Thanks.

[R-N-D]

???Anyone???

[Mr_RPM]

i have had a float go bad, it just does idk how lol. float valves go bad because its a needle that slides into a round rubber hole that seals, well the rubber dry rots and just gets old with age and wears out, float valves are called needle and seats (seat is the rubber ring)

i would just replace the float and needle&seat.

as for only running with the choke, your jets are prolly clogged, make sure your main and pilot jets are clean, i need details for further help, like without the choke it just dies or? it my not be clogged jets, just a main cause of problem

[R-N-D]

Yes, without the choke it will not stay running. It certainly dies out. I appreciate the help that's for sure. Let me know what you think?

[MonroeMike]

What makes you think the float itself is bad?

Throw it in a can of gas, if it floats, it's good.

What did he change in the inside the carb?

The stock settings are idle screw, 1 - 7/8 turns out, needle clip - 3rd groove.

There's a manual here.

http://72.52.143.80/~trikes/Manuals/ATC%20manuals/Honda%20200E%20Big%20Red%201982-83%20CD.pdf

[R-N-D]

Yeah, I do believe he has the manual. Well, I know there was an occasion in which the float was pulled out and it had a hole in it. It was a new or newer carb too. But, he's tried another and not yet convinced that the float has a hole in it but he was basically referencing the last one and questioned why it would have a hole in it or get on in it. After doing some reading, he read that the float valve can go bad or become damaged so that is where he is at this point. He is going to recheck the float though to see if it has a hole in it or not. Just waiting to hear back from him.

[Mr_RPM]

take the float out and put it in a cup of gas, thats how u test it....lol and yeah if it just falls on its face with no choke the i double what mike said. and what makes u think the needle&seat is bad (or just seat) normally the only time its bad is when gas is leaking out the overflow on the carb, it wont keep it from running, unless its stuck closed that is.... but i haven't seen that but i wont doubt anything. the main thing that needs to be done is looking at it lol. take off the float bowl and explore from there.

[mopar_man]

As mentioned, removed the float and see if it floats in a container. While you have it apart, buy a rebuild kit that includes all the jets, gaskets and float needle that you'll need.

[R-N-D]

take the float out and put it in a cup of gas, thats how u test it....lol and yeah if it just falls on its face with no choke the i double what mike said. and what makes u think the needle&seat is bad (or just seat) normally the only time its bad is when gas is leaking out the overflow on the carb, it wont keep it from running, unless its stuck closed that is.... but i haven't seen that but i wont doubt anything. the main thing that needs to be done is looking at it lol. take off the float bowl and explore from there.

Another point that you bring up is something I found out. It does leak gas out of the overflow of the carb. So, according to what you have said, it should be a bad float valve (needle & seat)? Correct?

I apologize, I know it's tough going back and forth with very little info and not being able to see it. However, I certainly appreciate all of the help. Please, keep it coming. I'll also mention the rebuild kit too. Thanks.

[Mr_RPM]

well leaking gas can be cause by a few things, a bad float, bad seat, or the float and needle valve arnt properly sealing from debris and such.
what happens as gas enters the carb, it fills the bowl and as the gas level goes up the float goes up and it pushes the needle into it's rubber seat then stopping the flow of gas, when more fuel is used the gas level goes down and the float goes down and the needle slides out of it's rubber seat and lets more gas in, repeating this cycle. now if the float dont float then it never closes the needle&seat valve and gas will pour in and go out the over flow, or if the float can float but when the needle gets pushed into the seat the seat may be wore out and gas can flow threw still. now both the float and needle and seat can be fine just something could cause the float to be jammed or something in the seat to block a perfect seal. then the gas level goes to high and it goes out the over flow (should have a rubber hose coming from it). id replace the seat, and float if she wont float in a cup of gas. if its not leaking from the over flow u might just have a bad seal/gasket somewhere

oh and no problem at all going back and forth for info. its why im here, its not like im paid or anything. i enjoy it. now all this info is just what i have learned, but there may be other things to cause problems that i just dont know of. nothing here is 100% right to your problem till its in front of me to look at =)

[MonroeMike]

^add, the float level might just need to be adjusted, if possible.