Did I ruin my new carburetor for 18hp Kohler Command?

[RoyJackson]

What makes you think it was crimped in place and would I be able to tell by looking at the outside of it and why would that make it unrepairable?

Just trying to cover my bases here before I try it. It's easier to fiddle with it here on my bench all shiney and new with no gas in it then after trying it on the engine.

Crimping, with the right tools and fixturing (at the manufacturer's) is a very cost effective way. Not normally tooling the home owner would have.
It's a guess on my part though.
Can you see both sides of the tube, by chance? Maybe get close up pics (use your camera's macro setting).

 

[Soundguy]

too high a pressure will colapse some floats.. metal ones anyway.. probably not plastic of foam floats though..


soundguy

 

[EE_Bota]

It's not loose or sloppy at all, can't budge it with my fingers (and I'm not putting pliers on it again). With the float down I can blow air through it fine and with the float up I can't blow through it at all and I can't hear or feel any air leaking out anywhere so that seems right. It might be OK but I'm wondering if I should try some sort of gas-proof sealant around the outside of it before I get gas in it just to be sure.

You did the test I was going to tell you to do. Gas will not go where air cannot go. Try it as is.

 

[Carl in CT]

Here are some pics of the outside of the carb. Can't get a view of the inlet from the inside, it's buried in the carb body itself.

 

[EE_Bota]

Here are some pics of the outside of the carb. Can't get a view of the inlet from the inside, it's buried in the carb body itself.

That third picture almost looks like you can see an internal retaining ring. Could be an optical issue though.

 

[Carl in CT]

The pic is not the best. In person it looks like there is some sort of glue or sealant in there. Hard to say if there is a retaining ring as well. It could even be a rubber o-ring with some sort of coating on it, just so hard to see it that clearly. It is definitely glossy but it seems to be somewhat plyable too.

I just did the bubble test with a little soapy water (well actually my kids' bubble stuff). No sign of even the tiniest bubble while I blew air into the inlet. I checked it with the float open and closed, nothing. I think I'm going to be OK but I got some Seal-All which is supposed to be gas and oil resistant and JB weld, just in case it does end up leaking. I can use that stuff around anyway if I don't need it for this.

 

[RoyJackson]

Just make sure you start the mower outside and let it run for a while (away from your house!!!).

The pic is not the best. In person it looks like there is some sort of glue or sealant in there. Hard to say if there is a retaining ring as well. It could even be a rubber o-ring with some sort of coating on it, just so hard to see it that clearly. It is definitely glossy but it seems to be somewhat plyable too.

I just did the bubble test with a little soapy water (well actually my kids' bubble stuff). No sign of even the tiniest bubble while I blew air into the inlet. I checked it with the float open and closed, nothing. I think I'm going to be OK but I got some Seal-All which is supposed to be gas and oil resistant and JB weld, just in case it does end up leaking. I can use that stuff around anyway if I don't need it for this.

 

[Soundguy]

ditto that. and I think, if I were a betting man, i'd go ahead and use a 25 cent bead of jbweld around the thing NOW, while it is still clean and non oily.. hose it down with alcohol to remove the bubble soap.. warm with a hair drier to dry well.. then seal it and never worry about it again.. if you use it, and it leaks in a week, then you have to get al the gas and residue off / out of it to get a good seal.

soundguy

 

[RoyJackson]

ditto that. and I think, if I were a betting man, i'd go ahead and use a 25 cent bead of jbweld around the thing NOW, while it is still clean and non oily.. hose it down with alcohol to remove the bubble soap.. warm with a hair drier to dry well.. then seal it and never worry about it again.. if you use it, and it leaks in a week, then you have to get al the gas and residue off / out of it to get a good seal.

soundguy

Definitely can't hurt anything...

Soundguy, is JBweld resistant to gasoline and other petroleum based substances?

 

[Soundguy]

Definitely can't hurt anything...

Soundguy, is JBweld resistant to gasoline and other petroleum based substances?

according to their packaging, it is... and in my experience, it is, once cured.. and if applied on a clean surface..

soundguy