Carb problem, or gas problem?
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Carb problem, or gas problem?
feeling fancy, I decided to treat Bertha to a tank of high-octane gas. the next day She started sputtering out, emitting the smell of raw gas and then she wouldn't start up again. Came back to her later in the day and started her up - still that ferocious smell of gas, blew black smoke out of the exhaust, too. so I drove her back up to the driveway and let her sit for a day.
Started up this morning with no problem, drove around, nothing like what had happened the other day.
So, I heard stuff about using good gas is bad for older vehicles. Wondering if it loosened up some crap and made the carb get stuck open and blow that smoke, but maybe she's okay now? Or is this the beginning of something serious that I should check out?
Hoping it's just the lady doesn't like the fancy stuff.
Started up this morning with no problem, drove around, nothing like what had happened the other day.
So, I heard stuff about using good gas is bad for older vehicles. Wondering if it loosened up some crap and made the carb get stuck open and blow that smoke, but maybe she's okay now? Or is this the beginning of something serious that I should check out?
Hoping it's just the lady doesn't like the fancy stuff.
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Carb problem, or gas problem?
When was your last carb rebuild? How low was the gas tank when you refilled? How good of quality is the gas you got? Sounds like you got some dirt into the carb which allowed it to flood. Run it a while and see what happens. Carb rebuild kits are cheap and easy to do.
As far as higher octane being bad for older engines I've never heard that one. Sometimes you need the higher octane for reasons but if you run fine off regular than there isn't any real use in doing so. I've never noticed any change when running different octanes.
As far as higher octane being bad for older engines I've never heard that one. Sometimes you need the higher octane for reasons but if you run fine off regular than there isn't any real use in doing so. I've never noticed any change when running different octanes.
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Carb problem, or gas problem?
Hey thanks for the reply!
No clue when last rebuild was. Bought it last Sept. and had tune-up and whatnot. No reports from the mechanic (if there would be) on carb condition, nor any other issues like that have happened since I've been driving it.
My tank was on E when I filled up with 91 the other day.
Since it doesn't seem to be flooding out like it did before, I am going to go with the feeling that it's just some dirt that got the carb stuck. Perhaps a prolonged day of errands will summon a repeat performance (though I hope not!).
If got into it and checked out the carb, what would be a tell-tale sign that I need to do a carb rebuild?
No clue when last rebuild was. Bought it last Sept. and had tune-up and whatnot. No reports from the mechanic (if there would be) on carb condition, nor any other issues like that have happened since I've been driving it.
My tank was on E when I filled up with 91 the other day.
Since it doesn't seem to be flooding out like it did before, I am going to go with the feeling that it's just some dirt that got the carb stuck. Perhaps a prolonged day of errands will summon a repeat performance (though I hope not!).
If got into it and checked out the carb, what would be a tell-tale sign that I need to do a carb rebuild?
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Carb problem, or gas problem?
If you have any gas seapage from the carb gaskets, poor performance, are both good signs of wear on the carb. A rebuild every now and then does wonders. If it doesn't act up any more and the performace seems to be good I probably wouldn't worry about it much. Maybe run a can of cleaner thru it every few months or so.
Oh...and if possible... Always try to keep the tank from reaching E before refilling!!
I always try to keep atleast 1/4 tank in there. Besides ya never know when ya might have to go pull a chevy outta the ditch 
Oh...and if possible... Always try to keep the tank from reaching E before refilling!!
I always try to keep atleast 1/4 tank in there. Besides ya never know when ya might have to go pull a chevy outta the ditch
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
Carb problem, or gas problem?
What you describe has the earmarks of a sticky float or plunger piston in the carb...something that kept the fuel supply at full tilt no matter where the throttle was. Could have been an isolated incident but in my expereince these things never go away for good. Depending on the carb and the age of it, the float may be made of air empregnated phenolic that has been sealed so it remains buoyant. As they age, these floats will lose that seal and actually begin to take on fuel thereby causing them to "sink", for lack of a better term. There are other components... seals, gaskets that are made of rubber that will over time deteriorate since they are sealing against gasoline. Oil kills rubber. Its just a matter of time before the seals get brittle or hard and fail to seal completely.
Last edited by greystreak92; Feb 2, 2003 at 11:25 PM.
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Carb problem, or gas problem?
BroncoGirl, it could also be a sticking automatic choke. If it floods again, remove the air cleaner and try spraying WD-40 on the choke linkage.
If a sticking choke is indeed the problem, you can move the choke plate open and closed, while watching the linkage move, and determine where it sticks. Then clean and re-lube.
If a sticking choke is indeed the problem, you can move the choke plate open and closed, while watching the linkage move, and determine where it sticks. Then clean and re-lube.
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From: Gateway to the West
Carb problem, or gas problem?
Broncogirl,
When you went back the start the truck later, had it been long enough for the engine to completely cool? If so, you should be able to rule out the choke because the choke would have closed almost completely anyway. Now if it belched black smoke while the engine was still hot, then you could be dealing with a sticky choke.
When you went back the start the truck later, had it been long enough for the engine to completely cool? If so, you should be able to rule out the choke because the choke would have closed almost completely anyway. Now if it belched black smoke while the engine was still hot, then you could be dealing with a sticky choke.
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Carb problem, or gas problem?
When I retried it, it was about 2 hours after I left it on the street. I don't think for Bertha that it's long enough to cool. But at least the flooding wasn't enough to keep her from starting lso I could get back to my driveway. Black smoke galore!
I took off the air filter and the choke was gunked up, pretty well. I am guessing the filling up on E may have sent a chunk through for her to choke on, pardon the pun.
However, I sprayed cleaner into the choke and got rid of most of the scuz. It doesn't flood now, and runs pretty well, but still a little sputtery here and there. I suppose a rebuild wouldn't hurt?
I took off the air filter and the choke was gunked up, pretty well. I am guessing the filling up on E may have sent a chunk through for her to choke on, pardon the pun.
However, I sprayed cleaner into the choke and got rid of most of the scuz. It doesn't flood now, and runs pretty well, but still a little sputtery here and there. I suppose a rebuild wouldn't hurt?
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
Carb problem, or gas problem?
Rebuild probably wouldn't hurt at all. And as theloneranger said, the kits aren't too expensive especially considering the improvements in MGP and performance you will see. As long as you can be fairly accurate with small measurements, carb rebuilds are relatively simple.