Rough Idle

-
pacuda59

pacuda59

pacuda59
Joined
Sep 20, 2005
Messages
5,790
Reaction score
813
Location
Pennsylvania
Last November I poured a container of carb cleaner in the tank, drove it and parked it for about a week. Ever since then it's been idling very rough. Anyone ever have this happen with carb cleaner?
 
Wait. Did you say carb cleaner?
And the driving part was also last November?
Well how did it drive during that week? and how much gas was in it when you put the cleaner in there? and how much gas was in it when you parked it?
The point is; the rough running may have nothing to do with the cleaner. Six months is a long time to restart with no issues at all.
For instance, points oxidize. Carbon delaminates.Valves stick.Floates stick. Pilot jets plug up.Distributor caps collect moisture. Mice chew stuff up. Lots of things can happen.
-Now, having said that though,I agree with Snake.
Most carb cleaners are fairly powerful. You may have to go through the entire fuel system. It kinda depends on how much cleaner, and what kind of cleaner, remained in the tank last November.Put a new fuel filter on it too.
 
I poured it into a fairly full tank and drove it about 10 miles. It sat for the week and I took it out the following weekend and the trouble began. Before i stored it for the winter I topped off the tank. I guess I'm trying to figure out what I should be focusing on first.
 
Start with changing the fuel filter. Then check all other tune up parts. Start with that.
 
Well,ok then. Trouble started almost right away.
This cleaner that you put in; was it the kind designed to clean while you drive?If yes, your tank may be ok.
I would pull the filter off, cut it open and see whats in it.If its all gummy in there, youre in for a lot of work. But if its just a fine red powder, youre probably fine.
So once again, I agree with Snake.
In which case, start with a new filter and a carb teardown/cleaning. Remember to blow out all passages with compressed air.
I would finish off with a complete tune-up, including a valve adjustment if applicable.
If still rough, its time for a compression test, and possibly a leak-down(LD) test.

Special note;
I usually do the Compression, and Leakdown, tests first, cause theyre quick and easy. I hate doing a carb rebuild, only to find out the engine is short a cylinder,or two.Customers dont like to pay for work that they perceive as having been done needlessly.Then Im the idiot. But just maybe I find a bad plug or two during the tests.Then Im the genius. Customers are funny that way.
 
AJ/FormS said:
Well,ok then. Trouble started almost right away.
This cleaner that you put in; was it the kind designed to clean while you drive?If yes, your tank may be ok.
I would pull the filter off, cut it open and see whats in it.If its all gummy in there, youre in for a lot of work. But if its just a fine red powder, youre probably fine.
In which case, start with a new filter and a carb teardown/cleaning. Remember to blow out all passages with compressed air.
I would finish off with a complete tune-up, including a valve adjustment if applicable.
If still rough, its time for a compression test, and possibly a leak-down(LD) test.

I usually do the comp. and LD tests first, cause theyre quick and easy. I hate doing a carb rebuild, only to find out the engine is short a cylinder,or two.Customers dont like to pay for work that they perceive as having been done needlessly.Then Im the idiot. But just maybe I find a bad plug or two during the tests.Then Im the genius. Customers are funny that way.
Click to expand...

What I said.:banghead:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top