Started up the other day perfect as always. Idled for about 10 sec and then just stopped (as if I turned the key off). No cough, nothing.
Managed to get it started with full throttle. Ran like a hairy goat and smelled strongly of fuel. Drove home, mostly on the freeway where it ran OK.
Ran well with 3/4 to full throttle, wouldn't cruise under about 90kmph (3/4 throttle), sounded like it was turned off when engine braking and would then cough for a while on full throttle until running again.
BTW Forgot to mention. It is a '74 beetle. Was 1300, put 1600 top end on 2 years ago. Has a 34 Pict3.
I assumed a crook needle and seat. Carbie getting a gut full of fuel and can only handle it at wide open throttle. Checked needle and seat along with float. Appeared to be OK. Put it back together and no improvement.
Bought a carbie kit with new needle and seat. Replaced needle and seat, air mixture screw and gaskets. Checked throttle pump, worked fine. Put it all back, fired up, purred for 10 seconds and then stopped cold. Evidence of fuel weeping out very top of carbie.
Could start again with full throttle, ran like a hairy goat, strong smell of fuel. AARGH.
Any suggestions? As mentioned at the beginning, this just happened all of a sudden. No gradual deterioration.
koolkarmakombi ·
could be blocked idle jet too or leaking accel pump. check that the fuel pump isnt pushing the needle open
LittleRalph ·
Further info.
I put it back on again and fired up without the air cleaner on. I had fuel pulsing out of the breather tube that comes up from the float chamber.
Given that I have just installed a new needle and seat, it seams that this could only occur if the fuel pump is putting way to much pressure on it.
Is this something that anyone has come across or am I barking up the wrong tree?
vw54 ·
Did you fit the gasket spacer under the needle n seat sounds like the fuel level in the bowl is too high add an extra gasket spacer and see if the fuel still comes out the vent tube
LittleRalph ·
Thanks Dave.
I went for overkill given the amount of fuel coming out and fitted both gaskets provided with the kit plus the allow ring and the gasket from the old needle. Worked a treat until the float chamber emptied 'cause no fuel was getting thru.
Finally found the right balance but had to use both new spacers and the old one. I assume this means that the float may be dodgy even though it seemed fine, empty etc.
She's running for now. Thanks for the help. I'll grab a new float when I next can and see if that improves things.