Zenith carb. float spring

[regwal]

Somehow I lost the float spring for a Zenith carb I am working on. Trying to find one is fruitless so I called TM and spoke with Ron. He said the spring isn't necessary and not worry about not using it. Is anyone doing this? I called Zenith and they have the spring but would not sell to me. Closest person to me with one is in Jefferson GA. They would not say if the spring was necessary or not. Looks like this would be a generic item to me.

[Eugene]

Spring is not necessary.

Some models of Zenith carburetors had the spring and some didn't.

[regwal]

Thanks Eugene.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

The spring is a precaution to make sure the float valve does not stick in the closed position. It will work without it, unless you have a problem with sticking.

[staninlowerAL]

I got mine from McDONALD Carb, and the service tech said the spring is to hold slight tension on the needle valve in the closed position. Don McCombs put the spring and kit in mine at DSCF this year. Stan

[Eugene]

At the end of the day I shut off the fuel at the tank, then let the engine die from fuel starvation. Idea is that the needle is not stuck in the needle valve seat upon next engine start up.

OK. I use the store brand, generic oil, from the auto parts store.

[Our Pass Thyme]

I serviced many float carbs in many small engines and have never found the springs necessary. Keep the gas fresh and drain or run the carb dry during extended periods of non-use and there will be no problem.

[regwal]

I had a phone message yesterday from Zenith. Message said they were sending a spring and drawing of the carburetor at no charge. There are still good people out there! I have the carb back on now without the spring (per you guys) and tried to crank. Nothing! After shinning all terminals from battery and ground to the starter, still nothing. Today removing starter switch and cleaning everything there and hope that gets it running. While checking voltage I checked the starter wire grounded to one of the plugs and had 15.2 volts, more than the new battery reading 13.9 volts across the posts?????? Anywhere else I checked ground was same as battery, or slightly less. How can this be?