Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Will this work? Can I replace a broken foam float in this kawasaki 4-cycle with a plastic float.
The motor is model FG300D Code:FG300DHS00 Number: FG300D1351
I have not been able to find a replacement foam float for this mikuni carb. Shown below is the broken foam float (it was my fault, I got careless)
and a replacement float that appears to be made of plastic.

The replacement part number for this float is 16031-2065
buy the plastic float that I've found on ebay is part number 16031-2066
Do you suppose that this is close enough?

Can I glue the one I broke back together?

Glue won't work on a float in Gas.    Is the plastic float a replacement?   The numbers of the parts hint at a design change...  (maybe replacemnent)

Friiy

<BR> friiy wrote: <BR>The plastic float part number never specifically said it was a replacement. But I do see what you mean. Are foam floats still used? <BR><BR>

friiy wrote:
The plastic float part number never hinted to being a replacement. Are foam floats still used?

Sears.com has the float part # 16031-2065 for sale $24.35 in stock

What are you working on now?

Friiy

If the float physically fits in the bowl and connects correctly with the float pivot and needle valve actuation tang, it should work. The only thing would be the specific gravity of the two floats. Put them in a shallow dish with gasoline in it and put a straight edge across the top of it to measure how high each float rides on the surface. If the plastic float is the same, great. If not, you might have to adjust the tang that actuates the float needle.

This kawasaki fits runs another leaf loader. A Ransome product. All the previous owner could tell me was that it did not run. I was intrigued with the the kawasaki engine and Ransome. I've never been around either one. The rest of the leaf loader (impeller and housing) is in decent shape, so I thought I'd take my chances and see if I could get it going. If not, I suppose it's off to the dump or pushed to the back of the garage until a spare motor turns up. The carb was not getting any fuel and when I unscrewed the drain at the bottom of the bowl nothing came out. So I assumed the needle was stuck. When I dropped the bowl and took a flashlight to see the float, I saw small crack in the float. Well, I just assume is was a plastic float and pushed it a little too hard. I'd never seen a foam float before. The motor has compression and a spark. The oil looked old but nothing unussual. When I poured a little gas into the spark plug hole the engine popped. The fuel tank had a pinhole leak in it and had been taken off the rest of the engine. My guess is that the bad fuel tank is the reason it was out of commission.

Yeah ,   Foam is still used..   foam will not crack and take on gas and sink...  

Friiy...

What are you working on that has aTwin Kawasaki engine?

The one on Ebay is what?   $10 +shipping  ..... to order the right one is $24.00  + shipping....

      I could fool around with it for 4 hours and make it work  by glueing it with special glue,  I could cross my fingers that the plastic one fits,  or  I could order the right one for $24 + shipping plus the gasket around the bowl it needs ...   I think it comes down to time management..  We  are worth more than $14  we save for the 4 hours we screwed with something.  

When I was young I had lots of time and no money- Now I am older I have lots of money and no time...   :(

Friiy

Alright I bite.....

How far will this thing throw leaves with a Kawasaki  on it?

Friiy

friiy wrote: Thanks for this. I will follow up. I'm curious to to know if the part the send will be the foam or plastic.

<BR> friiy wrote: <BR>I have no idea. From the looks of the rest of things, Ransome seems to be ok. I don't think they are still around though. <BR>I don't see their name anywhere locally. I think the company may have originally been from the UK? I seem to recall a Ransome mower that was used to mow the greens on a golf course. I'm sure that by the time (if?) it runs again, the leaves will be history.
I'm following the tricks I learned here to clean up the carb.

If I'm looking at $24.00+ just for the float, I'd be looking a replacing the whole carb. Chances are that there is a carb out there that will fit and be reasonably priced.

I show the whole carb runs about $109 to $124 bucks.....





Friiy

I found a place about 30 minutes away that has a float in stock for $33.46 with tax. (Most of the outdoor power equipment dealers in my area have abandoned Kawasaki for some reason but John Deer dealers carry the parts with a different part number system).  If I buy it in person at least I'll have the chance to hold the two floats up next to each other and compare.  If I knew that everything else on the engine was in working order I would not hesitate to snatch that float up. And  I  see the point about not wasting my time just to save and extra $10 to $15 not to mention all the frustration that comes with getting the wrong part.  At the same time I'd like to learn from past mistakes and not go crazy.  I'm working on getting the rest of the carb cleaned out. I  was thinking of patching the float together just long enough to get the engine running to diagnose other potential issues.  What if this engine is standing on death's door and something is really really bad.  Without knowing the history of the Ransome I'm at a real disadvantage.  I could take thin needle and pluck the float together like a voodoo doll.

If you plan to glue the float back together, I recommend using JB Weld. That stuff is miraculous. It doesn't seem to be bothered by gasoline and oil. I've used it on a lot of different applications and the stuff hangs right in there. There are two types of JB Weld. Regular and JB Quick. Not sure if effectiveness is compromised using the Quick. I use both and haven't had a problem with either. You might want to do a test piece and allow it to set up then put it in some fuel to see how it reacts. Personally, I think it will be fine.