More Problems

[marlboro]

Having set up the carbs (as best I could), I find the plugs are sooting up and when I disconnect plug lead no. 4 it makes no difference (there is good current). The idle jets are open about 3/4 of a turn. I hve not checked the valve clearences.

Any ideas?

[ncundy]

Usually a sign of excess fuel but I'm not sure that the idle jets have enough influence to cause heavy sooting. Is the choke shutting off ?

Have the carbs been fully cleaned and restored ?

[1,6 HF]

It's either fuel or spark (or both), and Neil's covered the fuel issues pretty well. I'll only ask if you're sure you've properly set the idle imxture screws. If so, and if you've checked Neil's items, that would leave spark.

Keep in mind that there's a difference between some evidence of current and adequate current. If you can pull a plug lead without it making any difference, I'd suggest that you may not have adequate current. Check or replace the coil, replace the points and condenser (if you haven't already done so), and replace the coil lead and the plug leads (if you haven't already done so). After all that, there's only spark plug temperature range; it's possible that the plugs are too cold.

As I alluded to earlier, it's very possible that your problem may not be one single issue, but several issues working against each other. It may be that one correction dramatically resolves everything, or it may take a series of corrections to sort it.

Good luck.

[tangmonster]

Not to bring bad vibes

A few years ago I had a dead cylinder number 2. It turned out to be a not completely closed very sooted up inlet valve. For me it was time for new valves. Which in the end pointed to worn rings.

I would suggest making a list and ticking of possible problems. Check all 4 cylinder compressions first.

If that is good ,it must be fuel or spark.

What are the chances that the front carb has a too high float level?

What heat grade plugs are you using? If you are using a 7 just try a set of hotter 6's. With an engine that has had a long life and slightly lower compression it can only be good to fit a slightly hotter plug to make sure the soot burns off.


Good luck

[rossocorsa]

when I had a fulvia I always found gunsons colourtune a handy tool when setting up carbs you can see the combustion colour in each cylinder well worth buying one when there are effectively 4 carbs to set up

[marlboro]

I replaced the plugs with hotter ones, stripped down another set of carbs that I have cleaned them and and put them on the car , got the car running well but there is a delay returning to idle speed after reving it up ,could this have to do with mechanical linkages? I have not taken it on the road yet.

[shaun pond]

I replaced the plugs with hotter ones, stripped down another set of carbs that I have cleaned them and and put them on the car , got the car running well but there is a delay returning to idle speed after reving it up ,could this have to do with mechanical linkages? I have not taken it on the road yet.

Hi Marlboro,

I think it's worthwhile checking the mechanical linkages.

On mine when I got it, the cable portion needed lubrication to work freely and consistently.

Additionally, the adjustable rod running from the carbs to the linkage arm was touching the manifold adapter (the metal/rubber sandwich between the intake manifold and the carbs). I reamed a small amount of material from the adapter with a dremel tool.

Last, do the Solexes have all of their throttle return springs present and correct?

Good luck!

[marlboro]

Hi Shaun,
Now that think of it ,I may be missing one set of springs:scratch:

[shaun pond]

Michael,

I ran mine with just one return spring for awhile, as I was looking for a replacement.

The single spring wouldn't always reliably bring the carbs back to idle right away, especially when warm.

I never did find a solex spring, but ended up visiting the hardware store and finding something that I could make work.

Good luck!

[marlboro]

Have stripped down and cleaned two pairs of carbs: one set has a leak on one of the pump injectors, when car is running I can see fuel dripping down , what can I do with this? Is it a job for a pro?
The other set would not settle down to an idle speed after revving it, I found that the idle screws had a step in them rather than a taper :scratch: has anyone come across this ,I changed them for a tapered set and it seems ok but I have not set them up yet.

If I need to get a set rebuilt any advice where to send them and any idea of cost?