Engine dies at idle.
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Engine dies at idle.
I have a 1985 E-350 Mororhome with a 460 carborated. It has ran geat up untill today. It will start fine and run fine as long as I am giving it a little bit of gas. The moment I let off the gas and let it idle it dies. I have tried spraying carb cleaner in it and it did not change anything. There is a in-line filter just before the carb that is clean. The carb looks to be somewhat newer and says something like "Holly made for Motorcraft on it" The engine only has 61,000 on it but I have only owned it for the past 6 months and have put about 3,000 miles on it since then. Has onyone else had this problem that could tell me what I need to do? Thanks Alot.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Union, Washington
You probably have a blown Power Valve making the truck run very rich, which is why it dies. The other option is a vacuum hose came off (more than likely a big one) and the engine is too lean. But you should be able to hear it sucking air.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Union, Washington
The power valve is located in the from metering body right behind the front float bowl. If it is working right, the vacuum at normal running speeds hods the valve close. But when you accelerate or run at WOT the vacuum drops, opening the valve allowing extra fuel to be metered in the the system to make the engine go better. When it is blown (by either old age or more likely a backfire), the vacuum diaphragm in the valve is torn and the valve stays open, dumping why to much fuel into the intake.
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Thanks alot for your help. Is the power valve a part that I would be able to get from a place like Napa or would I need a new carb? Would I be able to see that it is blown by pulling it out and looking at it? Thanks again.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Union, Washington
Yes, most any auto parts store should be able to get it for you. It is also part of the rebuild kit. Looking at the valve, even though it is bad will not always show you it is bad. FYI, 98% of carbs replace with new ones only need a rebuild.
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A guy I know that has rebuilt carbs before is going to come over and take the carb off and rebuild it for me since I have no idea how to and the carb is huge. What would be a fair price to pay for someone to do this. I am going to buy the kit, but when I asked how much he would charge he did not really give me an answer. Thanks again.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Union, Washington
A guy I know that has rebuilt carbs before is going to come over and take the carb off and rebuild it for me since I have no idea how to and the carb is huge. What would be a fair price to pay for someone to do this. I am going to buy the kit, but when I asked how much he would charge he did not really give me an answer. Thanks again.
It is a small 4 barrel of only 600 CFM capacity, trust me it is not huge. Mechanics get upwards of $75 an hour but offer him $25 and see if it is enough. I never charged friends unless they brought it into the shop.
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I hope thats what it is, I want to go camping this weekend. One other thing that I need to do is fix a small exhaust leak. It sounds like it is coming from between the manifolds and engine. Is this a big job? The bolts are rusty and I don't know if they will just snap. If they do snap it seems like it would be a nighmare to get them out then.
Post Fiend
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From: Union, Washington
The damage thing is a total myth. The leak will be noisy at the most and nothing will be hurt. My 460 has had an exhaust leak for at least 6 years and it still runs great.
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