Carburetor problems and solutions for them are common in any application and simple to take care of with the help of some research. Often, if the carburetor is the confirmed component causing performance issues, a rebuild kit or simple adjustment will resolve it and bring it back to perfect working order. Carburetor issues can sometimes be elusive to determine, but with some careful inspection and basic understanding, you can fix them with ease. In this article, we will cover some commonly experienced performance issues and more to help you understand how to repair them and get your vehicle out of the garage and back on the road.
How To Know If You Have Carburetor Problems
There are many things that can cause carburetor problems — and as many ways to know how to tell if there is a carburetor issue with your car. If the vehicle engine stalls when stopping, for example, there may be an idle circuit, fuel pressure, or idle speed issue that needs to be confirmed and resolved. However, if your engine is having performance issues, the first thing to determine is if the problem is fuel-related or spark-related. This includes ensuring ignition timing is correct and has not changed. Once you identify that the engine has the proper spark to each cylinder, you can move on to the fuel system. When checking the fuel system, start with fuel supply and pressure. Confirm the age of the fuel filter, and replace it if necessary. Next, with a fuel pressure gauge, confirm the engine is getting between 4-6 psi while running. If the pressure is less or more than the acceptable range, repair or replacement is needed to move forward with testing. Once fuel pressure is confirmed to be in the correct range, the next step is carburetor removal, disassembly, and reassembly.
Signs & Symptoms of Carburetor Problems
Knowing the signs and symptoms of carburetor problems is the first step in diagnosing issues with your vehicle. Here are some common indicators that you may have carburetor problems:
- Stalling Engine: If your vehicle's engine stalls when stopping, it may be due to an idle circuit, fuel pressure, or idle speed issue that needs to be addressed.
- Performance Issues: When your engine is not performing as it should, it's essential to determine whether the problem is fuel-related or spark-related. Ensure that ignition timing is correct before moving on to the fuel system.
- Fuel-Related Problems: Check the fuel supply and pressure. Replace the fuel filter if it's old, and confirm that the engine is getting the right fuel pressure (usually between 4-6 psi).
- Choke Operation: Verify that the choke, if present, operates correctly according to the manufacturer's specifications. The choke should be fully open when the engine is at operating temperature and almost closed with a specified air gap when cold.
Common Carburetor Problems
Carburetor problems can vary, but some issues are more commonly experienced. Here are a few common carburetor problems and how to address them:
Stalling or Hesitation
- Float Level: A common cause of stalling is an incorrect float level. Ensure that the float level is set to the manufacturer's specifications.
- Fuel Supply: Check the fuel supply and pressure. Make sure that the fuel pressure falls within the recommended range (4-6 psi).
- Acceleration: Poor acceleration can be due to a faulty accelerator pump or incorrect jetting. Ensure that the accelerator pump is functioning correctly, and consider adjusting the jetting if necessary.
Fuel Smelling in Oil
- Fuel Contamination: Fuel in the oil can be caused by several conditions, including a ruptured fuel pump diaphragm, incorrect fuel line hook-up, or carburetor flooding. Verify the fuel pressure, float level, and the condition of the needle and seats.
High Idle
- Choke Operation: If your engine idles above 1,000 RPM, check the choke operation and adjustment. Ensure that the fast idle cam is not causing the high idle.
- Throttle Linkage: Verify that the throttle linkage is correctly connected and that the throttle blades have a free range of operation.
- Vacuum Leaks: Check for vacuum leaks, as they can lead to high idle issues. Adjust the idle mixture screws and ensure that the engine dies when they are fully adjusted inward.
How To Fix Carburetor Problems
Once you've identified carburetor issues based on the signs and symptoms, it's time to take action. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to fix carburetor problems:
- External Inspection: Start with an external inspection of the carburetor. Look for signs of leaking, damage, or missing components. Ensure that the choke (if present) operates correctly when cold and warm per the manufacturer's specifications.
- Fuel System Check: Confirm that the fuel supply and pressure are within the recommended range (4-6 psi). Replace the fuel filter if necessary.
- Carburetor Removal: If the fuel system checks out, proceed with carburetor removal, disassembly, and reassembly.
- Internal Inspection: Disassemble the carburetor and clean it thoroughly. Remove any corrosion or contamination using a soft bristle brush and carburetor cleaner. Check for clogged jets, channels, or passageways.
- Float Adjustment: Ensure that the float is properly set to the manufacturer's specifications, both when hanging and when upside down (for Edelbrock and other carburetors). Adjust if needed.
- Reassembly: Once all components are clean and in good condition, reassemble the carburetor. Confirm all external connections and gaskets are correctly in place.
- Engine Start: Start the engine and check that the idle is between 800-1000 RPMs. Adjust if necessary. Verify the fast idle setting and match it to the manufacturer's specification.
- Testing: Road test the vehicle to ensure that the carburetor issues have been resolved.
If a carburetor rebuild doesn't solve the problem, consider replacing it with a different carburetor. However, if the issue persists even with a new carburetor, it may indicate a different problem within the engine.
Additional Questions About Carburetor Issues
Below are some additional questions people often have related to selection as well as carburetor problems and our solutions / answers to them.
How Do I Select The Correct CFM Carburetor For My Application?
The carburetor CFM is a very critical choice in your build. Too large will cause low RPM issues and a rich condition. Too small will restrict engine performance at high RPM. Another part of the calculation for correct carburetor CFM size involves the engine's volumetric efficiency or "VE". As is it not easy to know exactly what your engine's VE percentage is, you will need to make an educated guess. We advise that your guess be "conservative" and realistic for the calculation. Most street engines have a volumetric efficiency of around 85%. A VE of 95% is considered extremely well-flowing. A highly-developed match of the intake passages, combustion chambers, exhaust passages, and valves through planning, machine work, and testing can put an engine at 100%-110%, such as in NHRA Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock applications.
A simple formula is commonly used by our techs to select the proper CFM:
(Cubic Inches of Engine X Max Shift RPM) / 3456 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot (1728) times the number of revolutions (2) for a 4-stroke engine to fill and empty all of its cylinders) x VE(Volumetric Efficiency) = Maximum Carburetor CFM Required
For example, (350ci X 6500RPM)/3456 x .85 (85%)=559.53 CFM (a 600 CFM would be the closest size for this application)
Below is a calculator to make everything much easier:
Carburetor CFM Calculator
Should I Use A Vacuum Secondary Or Mechanical Secondary Carburetor?
For street cars, the vacuum secondary carburetor works best with an automatic transmission. They are more forgiving than a mechanical secondary because they work by sensing engine load. To avoid carburetor issues, the mechanical secondary carb is best on a lighter car with a radical camshaft, a lower gear, and manual transmission. A mechanical secondary is also the best choice for most high RPM race applications.
I Have A 650 CFM Carb That I Want To Jet To A 750. How Can I Do This?
Actually, you can't. CFM (cubic feet per minute) refers to the air flow through the main venturis of the carburetor. Simple re-jetting will not change the carburetor CFM. Instead it will cause your engine to run either too lean or too rich, which will cause engine performance issues and even damage in some cases.
I Have A Problem Seeing Or Smelling Fuel In My Oil; Why?
This is one of the more common carburetor problems people face. When too much fuel enters the combustion chamber and engine cylinders, it can make its way past the pistons and down into the oil pan. Fuel in the oil can be caused by several conditions, including a ruptured fuel pump diaphragm, incorrect fuel line hook-up, or carburetor flooding. If the problem is carb flooding, check the following:
- Fuel pressure should not exceed 6.5 psi.
- Verify the float level.
- Verify that the needle & seats are free of any debris and have a smooth range of operation and travel.
- Verify that the carburetor float is free of any fluid by shaking it or submerging it in a safe, non-flammable fluid.
Lastly, a fuel smell in oil can be caused by an excessively rich tuned carburetor.
I Purchased The Correct Carburetor For My Application, Installed It, And It Does Not Run Right. What Should I Do To Fix This Problem?
If you're having carburetor issues immediately after installing, the most common answer is that it needs to be tuned to match your engine. Rarely will a new carburetor work right out of the box — some tuning will be required that may include different size carburetor components such as jets, power valves, metering rods, or step-up springs. The adjustment method can differ with the carburetor type, but the general progression is the same. Use the following guide for direction, and refer to the carburetor owner's manual for specific methods.
- First, you will need to be sure the engine is warm and in good working order with correct ignition timing.
- Be sure that the float level and fuel pressure are within the specified ranges.
- The first circuit to tune is the idle circuit; this requires the use of a vacuum gauge to adjust the idle mixture screws, tuning to maximum vacuum.
- The second circuit to tune is the intermediate circuit, the most common circuit that needs to be tuned. This circuit is most responsible for off-idle hesitations or stumbles. As mentioned, each carburetor is different, but this circuit typically involves a mechanical lever that compresses an accelerator pump diaphragm through a discharge nozzle. In almost all types of carburetors, the mechanical pump action is adjustable and so is the orifice size of which the fuel is dispersed.
- Next is secondary jetting/tuning. On most vacuum secondary carburetors, the rate at which the secondaries open is adjustable. It may be advantageous to open the secondaries earlier or later. Road testing and trial and error is the most common way to come to this determination.
- Lastly, strict jetting is fairly straight forward. If the engine runs lean at wide open throttle, it will need to be jetted up; if rich, it will need to be jetted down. Spark plug reading is a very common method to determine WOT(wide open throttle) tuning; some more advanced tuners will use an air/fuel ratio gauge that reads fuel mixture from the exhaust pipe.
I Can't Get My Street Car To Idle Below 1,000 RPM; How Can I Fix This?
A high idle is an indication that more air is getting into the intake manifold than necessary. You may be experiencing carburetor choke problems — check for correct choke operation and adjustment. Make sure that the fast idle cam is not causing this. Verify that the throttle arm rests on the idle speed screw. It is important to verify throttle linkage and that throttle blades are not binding — they should have a free range of operation. The throttle return spring should be correctly located and adjusted. In most cases, the return spring should be positioned on the top of the throttle arm forward. Make sure all of the vacuum ports on the carburetor are being utilized or blocked off. Check for any vacuum leaks, when the idle mixture screw(s) are all adjusted inward, the engine should die. If the engine remains running, this is a key indication of a vacuum leak.
How Do I Hook Up My Electric Choke?
Typically, an electric choke will involve 2 wires. The first and most critical is the, often red, positive voltage wire. This is to be connected to a switched 12-volt ignition source that provides power only when the ignition key is on. Connecting this wire to a full-time 12-volt wire will cause damage to the choke and drain the battery when the key is out of the ignition. The second wire is the, often black, ground wire. Simply connect this to a chassis ground. Most manufacturers pre-terminate this wire to the carburetor base or body. This is ok as long as your engine ground is present and functioning.
Where Is the Proper Vacuum Port To Hook My Distributor Vacuum Advance?
It is critical for your distributor vacuum advance to be hooked to a timed port. If this is connected to a full-time vacuum port, it will remain advanced full time and you will lose the functionality of the vacuum advance feature. The timed port on a Holley-designed carburetor is located high on the side of the primary metering block. On the Carter AFB/Edelbrock design, it is the higher of the two small vacuum ports on the front of the carburetor. Quadrajets can differ with design, but their timed port is typically placed mid level on the rear right side. In all cases, the correct vacuum port will be above the throttle blades of the carburetor.
Why Does My Engine Stall/Hesitate When I Hard Stop, Hard Accelerate, Or Turn A Sharp Corner?
If your engine stalls when stopping, accelerating or turning, this is likely a float level issue. Confirm the float level and retest the cause of the stall. In racing applications, specialized floats are available for extreme versions of these situations. Also, the use of jet extensions may be required in the secondary side of a carburetor for extremely hard accelerations, such as a drag car. Another area to check is fuel supply and pressure. Confirm the fuel pressure is between 4-6 PSI. If the fuel pump is not supplying enough fuel to the carburetor, under hard acceleration the fuel bowls may empty, causing flat spots, or stalls as the pump struggles to supply more fuel than the engine uses.
How Can I Lean Down My Carburetor To Get Better Mileage?
First off, to avoid carburetor problems, make sure you have the correct CFM for your application and the idle mixture screws are properly adjusted. You can make your carburetor leaner, but this will not always improve gas mileage. Since every engine is different, there is no way of knowing how much of an effect leaning down the carburetor will have on your engine. You can refer to your carburetor owner's manual and the calibration suggestions inside to lean down the carb. Start off light, but keep an eye on the plugs to make sure you aren't taking it too lean. The most efficient fuel mixture typically results in a light to medium tan color on the internal porcelain area of the spark plug. White or gray porcelain indicates a lean condition; black or fuel-soaked porcelain indicates a rich condition. Use great care as going to lean will cause engine damage.
Troubleshooting Guide
Carburetor issues can be frustrating, but with a little troubleshooting, you can get your engine running smoothly again. If you're experiencing rough idling, it might be due to a clogged idle circuit or incorrect fuel pressure. Poor acceleration could be caused by a faulty accelerator pump or incorrect jetting. Fuel leaks and flooding often indicate problems with the needle and seat or float level. By following a systematic troubleshooting process and identifying the specific issue, you can address carburetor problems effectively and restore your engine's performance.
Installation and Tuning Tips
Proper installation and tuning are crucial for optimal carburetor performance. When installing a carburetor, ensure the throttle linkage is correctly connected and the carburetor-to-intake gasket is sealed properly. Tuning involves adjusting the idle speed, mixture screws, and float level to achieve the desired performance. Take into consideration the engine's specific requirements, such as camshaft specifications, to fine-tune the carburetor for optimal power delivery. Careful attention to installation and tuning details will ensure that your carburetor operates at its best.
Maintenance and Cleaning Recommendations
Regular maintenance and cleaning are essential for preserving your carburetor's performance and longevity. It's recommended to clean the carburetor periodically, paying attention to critical components such as jets, passageways, and float bowls. Use a soft bristle brush and carburetor cleaner to remove any dirt or debris. Additionally, inspect the gaskets and seals for wear and replace them as needed. By incorporating these maintenance practices into your routine, you can keep your carburetor in top shape and avoid potential issues down the road.
Fuel System Considerations
To ensure proper carburetor performance, it's crucial to consider the fuel system as a whole. Regularly replace the fuel filter to prevent clogs and maintain fuel flow. Check the fuel pressure regulator to ensure it is within the recommended range. Poor fuel quality can adversely affect carburetor operation, so it's essential to use high-quality fuel. By paying attention to the fuel system and its components, you can optimize the performance and longevity of your carburetor.
By understanding the different types of carburetors, troubleshooting common issues, mastering installation and tuning techniques, performing regular maintenance, and considering the fuel system, you can effectively address carburetor problems and achieve optimal performance. Whether you're a seasoned car enthusiast or a beginner, these insights will empower you to make informed decisions, keep your carburetor in peak condition, and enjoy reliable performance from your engine. For all your carburetor needs, trust JEGS to provide a wide range of options and expert guidance. With these recommendations, you'll be well-equipped to conquer any carburetor challenge and get back on the road with confidence.
Solve Your Carburetor Issues With Parts From JEGS
If you're experiencing carburetor problems and solutions require new parts or a full replacement, JEGS has you covered. We offer a great selection of carburetors to meet your engine's needs, along with a full selection of carb options, including an easy-to-install JEGS street carburetor. If you need help, feel free to contact JEGS today.
