I have a 40 HP Evinrude outboard carburetor

[Roadstar523]

Engine was running on 1 cylinder. Motor sat for a few years. I took carbs off and cleaned. When I removed the float on one of the carbs there was not a "clip" that attaches the float to the needle valve. When I turned the purge lever it ran great for about 2 seconds. Could the missing "clip" be the source of the issue? And where can I buy just the "clip" or what rebuild kit would include the "clip"?

 

[oldboat1]

guess I'm not sure what the purge lever is.

You can either use the old needle (won't accept a wire clip), or get a kit with a new needle (and clip). Unless the current needle is damaged, I would just use it. Clean the seat for the needle, as you probably already have done. The newer needles have a neoprene* tip which can cause them to stick in the seat -- which is the rationale for the clip (to unstick it).

*believe it's neoprene -- appears black when you see the newer needle.

 

[F_R]

The clip is there to drag the needle off the seat. Without it, the needle sometimes will stick in the seat and run out of gas. But even so it should have enough gas in he carb to run for more than 2 seconds. Besides, it should continue to run on the other carb, albeit slower.

You ought to replace the clip anyway. You can just buy a needle & seat assy, don't need the whole kit.

 

[jimmbo]

A model # goes a long way to help figure out what engine and systems are being dealt with