idle circuit not responding

[pdub]

I took filters off 44 HPMX carbs and sprayed starter fluid in 1/2 side. Engine almost died. I did same on 3/4 side and it made no difference. This sides idle screws also make little to no difference when turned in/ out. The transition ports are not exposed and I cleaned idle jets. What would cause starter fluid make no difference? Thanks for your help/ideas!

[67rustavenger]

Start the engine and let it warm up.
One by one pull the spark plug wires from the 3/4 side of the dist. I bet you have one or two dead cylinders.
Make sure that the spark plug insulators are fully attached to the plugs.

I have had this problem in the past. They should "click" on the plugs something like 5-6 times when correctly connected.

Good Luck.
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[Multi69s]

Does the engine run well at any RPM? Is it just an Idle problem or is the car not drivable? What was the chain of events that led you to do this test? Also check that the plug wires are right.
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[pdub]

The main thing I noticed is it was idling rough so I cleaned out the idel jets and when tuning idle mixture screws I noticed they did not have much of an affect. I already checked plug wires, replaced plugs, did compression test. also took filter off and watched it idle to make sure fuel was not spilling down throat from somewhere else. and that throttle plates were closing all the way. All was good. I took carb of today to give it a good look through and cleaning. Oh, and fuel PSI is 3.5 and floats at 10mm and 30 mm.

[66brm]

Checked sync lately?
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[wcfvw69]

How about a big vacuum leak on the side not responding?
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[Mikedrevguy]

What's the history on The carbs?
New? New to you? Did you disassemble and clean out before installing?
When you cleaned the jets, did you also blow through the carb?

After chasing plugged idle jets since I got my hpmx 44s (and when I put a set on my wife's 914) I fabbed a set of jet doctors for them both and have been virtually plug free.

Good luck
Rev.
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[Multi69s]

When you spray carb cleaner into the idle jets, does it pass right through? Make sure that you clean out the carbs idle circuits thoroughly. If it still does it, check for vacuum leaks. If no vacuum leaks, throw in some bigger idle jets on that carbs. There is a mythical mindset that says that all throats of the carbs MUST have all the same size jets. In some cases this is a total fallacy. Whether its from carb manufacturing issues, state of engine tune, or other factors, I have seen engines that required different jets in the different throats.
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69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

[vwkirb]

[Multi69s]

I think that we are all running away from the main question (me included). Why did the starting fluid have no effect on 3 & 4? A couple of things come to mind, a totally closed off set of butterflies - meaning carbs out of sync, Valves tight, ignition issue. No matter how jacked up a carbs jetting might be, starting fluid should change something.
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69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

[rs58rag]

Make sure to replace idle jet o-rings and air/fuel mixture screw o-rings. Even if you have them in place they might be deformed, hardened, cracked and leaking. Tiniest leak will throw off settings.

[sdavidg]

Looking for clues on a identical problem I'm having and was wondering if anything new has come up as to what the problem might have been.

I'll run through the suggestions mentioned in the previous posts too.

[pdub]

Much to my surprise it ended up being the carbs were just out of sync! Once I threw the snail on them and synced them up it became responsive again.

[sdavidg]

Glad to hear, I'm leaving towards that too but can't seem to find my snail

- Sam

[mark tucker]

that would be should be the first thing done.... then find out why.