ARRUGGH! this carb is making me crazy!

carsdlt

OK, so among other things, I have been chasing the "dreaded bog" on my 181. Fires right up when cold or warm, idles fine - choke aprears to be working - but when I take off, it will stumble - & die when I come to a stop. Found a couple of small vaccum leaks which I fixed, same problem. So I got a carb kit and overhauled my 34 PICT-3. Ran better for a few days, but still not right. Took a short trip to the hardware store & when i got back in and tried to start it, it did the "I'm flooded" start - cranks & then fires on 2 - 3 cyl. need to floor it to finally get it blown out and run. ??? So I get back home and pop the rear lid - gas is dripping out from around the throttle shaft - so I'm thinking " needle valve stuck - but it's brand new!". So I pull the carb back off, take off the lid and check - needle valve seems to be free, pulled it and blew it out anyway - got the .05 gasket in place - plastic float retainer has bend facing front - bowl is clean - ??? Put it back on the car, OK for 2 days - now it's dripping again! Should I re-install the old needle valve assy? Has anyone else had a bad needle valve assy. out of a kit? This is VERY frustrating... Mad

[email protected] · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:35 pm Post subject:

I fought my 34pict for a few weeks. Same erratic behaviour. random flooding and leaks out of the throttle shaft. Replaced the fuel pump and its been good for a week now. Its a cheap thing to change out and if its not the problem you have a spare!

carsdlt · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:53 pm Post subject:

Hmmm...possible but highly coincidental. When I pulled the carb back off & went thru it the 2nd time, I noticed that the pilot jet/aux idle speed jet that screws into the side of the carb - mine is stamped SOLEX .055 & has the little ballbearing in it - appears to be partially plugged. Jet has 3 holes in the side which are clear & 1 in the end which I can't seem to blow thru. I soaked it in carb cleaner for a few hours but still looksplugged. I know the rule about wires in jet holes but wonder if I should try a very fine one to see if I can clear it...?
Edit: used a plastic brush bristle to check - jet was clear - back to square one Sad

uberautowerks · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:22 pm Post subject:

I have seen several floats with a small "Burr" on one of the seams and had that burr rub against the side of the float bowl causing flooding.

I've seen this in new carbs from Empi and Brosel as well as old Solex units.
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carsdlt · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:39 pm Post subject:

I will check the float again but I didn't notice any evidence of rubbing. I just find it strange that this flooding problem began after I installed the carb kit. I might try re-installing the old needle valve assy. And see what happens...

uberautowerks

gt1953 · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 6:28 am Post subject:

Something I did not read is what distributor are you running on the vehicle? 009 with the 34 pict is an interesting mix.
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Hobug · Samba Member Joined: May 19, 2004 Posts: 71 Location: GA

I have had new needle seat valves stick. I don't replace my old ones unless they have a problem.
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carsdlt · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 6:36 pm Post subject:

I had an 009 that I switched out for dual vac unit because I felt they were not a good match. Another thing I did was replace the fuel line. PO had 1/4" on there which was really too big - I swapped it out for some MC hose that I had that was really a little too tight - had to force it over the pipes comming out of the fuel pump & carb. Would that cause too much pressure from the pump to the carb. causing the valve to stick in the open position? I wouldn't think a little smaller diameter hose would make a difference, but....?

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 19941

carsdlt · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 9:26 pm Post subject:

Didn't think so.....I think I have a bad needle valve or excess fuel pump pressure...stay tuned.

carsdlt · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:55 pm Post subject:

Well, I replaced the new valve assy. with the old one...no more flooding Rolling Eyes

Still having drivability problems tho, I think I need a new carb. Is keifernet the best source for a German SOLEX 34Pict-3 rebuilt?

Dlt

[email protected] · Samba Member Joined: July 06, 2011 Posts: 40

Not only is he a good source for rebuilt carbs, he is a great help in troubleshooting what you have. The tips he gave me enabled me to get my carb working so well I did not end up purchasing one from him. And he was happy to do it! Great Guy to work with.

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Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 19941

Semper_Dad · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:05 am Post subject:

we have a local guy in Washington that does good carb rebuilds
http://volkzbitz.com/
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kevhum · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:19 am Post subject:

I didn't see you saying anything about you setting the float level.Did you check it? some of your symptoms point to A high float level.I have noticed with some of the new needle valves out there that the float levels are high with them and they should be checked.My 2 cents

carsdlt · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:21 pm Post subject:

Yep, checked the float level - to specs. That's what threw me with the flooding problem. Thanks, tho - good thing to check that is often overlooked. What is the general feeling on Bocar carbs? Have a local source for a rebuilt unit but I really would like to stick with a German SOLEX .

kevhum · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:40 pm Post subject:

A Bocar was the one I was having trouble with.I ended up changing the needle float and volume control screw and the idle screw out with some out of my stash.I think they were out of German carbs .Seems like I read somewhere that the new ones don't work very well.It did improve it.No more flooding when starting and the screws started reacting to adjustment.But A good German carb is the way to go.

carsdlt · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:29 pm Post subject:

Thanx for the info, Keyhum...I think that's the way I'm going to go.

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