Onan walbro carb
 

I have a B48G engine with an Onan walbro carburetor on my 982. Are they any better carb than the Nikki? This is the first one I've had and it needs rebuilt. I also have a Nikki that needs rebuilt.

If you find a better one...let us all know. Mine is getting VERY tired and worn out too!

I moved this thread over to the Onan engines section. Maybe you can get some different exposure over here..... :ThumbsUp:

Thanks, these rebuild kits are expensive like everything else. I need to rebuild one of them, I just thought I might get some input on which is the better carburetor.

I'm having issues with my Walbro too. I looked and couldn't find a model # on the carb--at least not while it is still bolted to the intake! One place that may have reasonable priced kits is V.E. Petersen. I've got quite a few kits from them for farm tractors.

Thanks for the reply and info. I'll check them out.
Jim

So...... what is it that you want to know? Where to get parts? Or who makes a better carb?

I just plan on rebuilding one of them. Either the Walbro or the Nikki. I'm not going to do both, so I thought maybe one was a better carb than the other.

Both companies have made carbs for eons. I really don't think it will matter. Is one adjustable and one not? If so, rebuild the adjustable one.

Thanks for the reply. The walbro is adjustable, so I'll go with it.

If you don't mind, post which carb you rebuild and where you got the parts. Onan prices seem all over the place to me.

If you guys will post some more info, I can help. Engine model number, carb numbers and so on. What parts you need.

The reason Onan parts are all over the place is because they don't make them anymore. Onan parts are almost NLA, so your going to be subject to the seller. Kinda like Continental motors. Yeah, you can still get the parts, if you can afford them. I appreciate the fact that both you guys want to keep the "original" motor in the tractor, but there are a lot of good reasons to get away from a Onan. Namely, parts availability. If you are dead set on keeping the Onan, your going to just have to accept that the parts are going to cost an arm and a leg.... and maybe even a big toe.

I found a carb kit on E-Bay, $155. Or, looks like a new carb is available. $300. Just how it is guys. Sorry. :GoodLuck:

I like a good running Onan but they are expensive to rebuild. The new V-twins are nice but don't have near the power the Onans do. If that is all that is wrong I would just drop a new carb on it like this one http://onanparts.com/index.php?main_...roducts_id=460 and be done with it. The Onans and old Kohler Mags suck when it comes to fuel consumption so thats where the new Commands and Vanguards really shine.

I haven't searched much lately on the carb parts since I got mine cleaned up and working (until this latest issue with gas in the oil). I bought an air filter for mine from Deere. Points however from Deere are $50, I can order them on line with a condenser and shipping for less. As of now I'm really impressed with the Onans power. I swear it has more than the M20 in my 2072. Both are running 60" decks.

I couldn't agree more Todd. I don't have an Onan in any cubs, but I do own some other equipment that has them. I shudder every time I have to work on them. Just never know what it's going to cost.

As far as them having more power than a Mag, I'm sure they do. They are a slightly larger (cubic inch), higher compression engine. Stands to reason that they are power houses. And yes...... fuel hogs!!

Bringing this thread back from being idle for about a year. I FINALLY got around to rebuilding the carb in my 982---needle valve not sealing. Yes its got an Onan and it has the Walbro carb--I believe it is a lua6 model. Parts are somewhat scarce, but not as pricey as you may think. The kits are priced from around $25 to $40. Apparently this is about the only kit you can buy unless you run across something NOS. There is one guy on Ebay selling a very complete kit for $155, too rich for my blood. The kit I bought has the gasket for the 2 halves, gaskets for the brass seat and main needle valve assembly, float pin and screw, idle jet/screw and spring, and some sort of foam bushing, most likely for the throttle shaft. It also includes a needle valve and the needed parts to rebuild the seat.The kit does not contain the carb or air cleaner mounting gasket.

I spent considerable time trying to find a ready to screw in needle valve. I tried searching under Onan, Cadet, and even went to my IH published parts book to get those part numbers--none of which yielded anything other than the $155 kit.

By the way, I got my kit from here:
http://vepetersen.com/
They are a Walbro dealer--give him the make and model of the carb and let them do the rest. By the way, if you look on the drivers left side, below the main adjusting jet, you will see LUA cast into the carb, mine has a 6 stamped behind that (LUA6), this is your carb model. Its right above where the carb bolts to the intake, you'll need a light, a rag, and maybe some gunk remover of your choice to be able to read it with the carb still mounted.


First off let me say I did not pull the carb from the engine--the mounting bolts are under the bottom and I was not in the mood to take half the engine apart to get to them. So I opted to rebuild it in place--besides I had an issue with the needle sealing, not a stopped up carb. First thing I did once I took the top half off the carb was to shove a paper towel down the throat in case I developed a case of "butter-fingers". Everything was rather straightforward besides the seat. This carb uses a re-buildable seat. In the bottom of the brass part we ordinarily call the seat is a rubber insert that is the actual seat. From the bottom side I carefully pushed the seat out. The new seat comes in a separate package with instructions. Basically you drop it in the brass part, make sure the orientation marks on it are correct, then press it into a small bore in the bottom--the instructions tell you what size drill bit to use. They actually call for a number drill, I don't have any here so I got the closest thing to it in a fractional size that was a tad bit smaller. I made sure the end of the drill (the chuck end) was free of burrs so it didn't damage the seat--used a honing stone to for this. Pressed in the rubber seat and then pressed in a steel retainer ring (this was not in my original set-up--maybe they feel you need it for rebuilds?). According to my dad, some Briggs engines used this set-up of rebuilding the seat, anyway I had never seen it.

Checked the float settings to the service manual (both with and without fuel in it). Set the jets by the book and carried it for a test cut--1/2 hr of overgrown grass in a hilly area we only cut with a bushhog, ran great.