possible intake leaks

platform115 · Post by **platform115** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 9:46 am

My 2L bus isn't running on all cylinders. I've got a strong spark on all cylinders, and I'm about to do a compression check, but that should be good, because it has just been rebuilt. The carb is a 32/36 that has some problems, but I don't know if it could cause this...

It's like it's not got enough spark or it has an intake leak or something.

What can I use to check for an intake leak?
I sprayed carb cleaner on the boots last time and then was told on the forums that it would eat them. I've replaced them since, but now am back to trying to find what the hell is going on.

It will barely stay running, and just runs like hell. I can't even drive it.
It doesn't seem like it could be a difficult thing here...but it's kicking my ass.

Any direction appreciated. thanks

Post by **Piledriver** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:17 am

Propane torch, unlit.
Works great.

platform115 · Post by **platform115** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:29 am

not a bad idea!!
THANKS!!

btw... compression test says over 125psi in all cylinders
woohoo!!
now if the bastard would only act like it!

dstar · Post by **dstar** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:47 am

platform115 wrote:not a bad idea!!
THANKS!!

btw... compression test says over 125psi in all cylinders
woohoo!!
now if the bastard would only act like it!

BUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

YEP, getting them to ACT like it is half the FUN!

I hope you shot the engine that this carb came off of, it was definitely
in need of being put out to pasture.....

I rebuilt the carb, even though the primary throttle bushing is a little
worn. It had a ruptured power valve and the WHOLE carb was covered
in oil and dirt.

EVERY orifice was plugged to some degree. I don't how it ran at all.

I will make the missing part tonight when I get home and hopefully I
will have time to install it on my bus, otherwise, I'll test it Tuesday night
and make sure it runs good....

I should be shipping it back to ya by Wednesday and you can install it SATURDEE and see if it runs better than the one you have on it now.

Don

platform115 · Post by **platform115** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:23 pm

okay.. sprayed unlit propane torch and nothing was different...
but I sprayed it into the intake (took the air filter off) and that made no difference in the engine running either.. what gives???

Dstar:
MUCHAS GRACIAS!
that is awesome,
and yes btw the engine that the Holley was on was exectued.

actually....

... it commited suicide.

someone sold it to me for almost nothing, and I bought it because the body on the Bus was in AWSOME shape.
But yeah, the owner was an idiot. the engine was missing literally half the nuts and bolts, and that's the tip of the iceberg.
I still haven't torn it down, but I know that AT LEAST the cam acts like it's freakin' borke in half or something!

dstar · Post by **dstar** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:52 pm

Yes, the carb is missing the high idle screw, not a big deal, just have
to make one and I'll test it and set it up right for ya!

This actually has bigger jets ,137 priamry and 140 secondary, which is almost
right for a centermounter. I'd like to see how 140 and 145 runs it....

Now, for your CURRENT delimma, if you add more fuel(propane) and the engine's
idle speed does NOT change, what condition are you running in?
(Jeapardy theme playing in the background....)

I'll come back in a few minutes and see if you hve figured it out.

BTW, did you install the fuel pressure gauge and what is the pressure now?

Don

Post by **Piledriver** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 1:38 pm

Screw in your idle fuel needle until the motor slows down, THEN try it.

If it doesn't slow down, I bet your float needle is being overwhelmed by your fuel pump...

Too rich runs like hell too...

Also remember to check yor plugs and see if they are wet.

Set your static timing to 10-12 BTDC, leave the vac hose off.

dstar · Post by **dstar** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 1:53 pm

YES. it is flooding....bet he has the BLUE machine gun pump on it....5 PIS, istead of 2-3 PSI....

What did the gauge tell you?

You can't do ANYTHING until you get the pressure right.....

Don

platform115 · Post by **platform115** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:30 pm

Yes, got the gauge.
I replaced the fuel pump because I just felt that it was next on the list of possibilities before I got the gauge in the mail.
The fuel pump actually was part of the problem, but I replaced it with another piece of junk until I get the right one in the mail. I replaced it with a bugpack red pump and it's pushing 6-8psi, BUT it actually will idle, and drive now!... just like hell. But when it's warm it actually sounds okay, just like a slight miss.
I fixed the CHT and my temp is all good.

So, in a few days I'll have a good fuel pump. Spark plug were not wet. Going to check mixture now.

Post by **Piledriver** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:36 pm

Spend the $20 on a Purolator regulator and save your money on the pump.
They are adjustable in 1/4 PSI increments. Mine was off 1/8 PSI from the dial...Good enough.

You will likely need it anyway.

Running that much pressure risks an engine compartment fire, and the extra gas is hell on your oil/motor.

You will be pulling your hair out trying to adjust anything until you DO.

platform115 · Post by **platform115** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:23 pm

But I used this pump with my old bus and didn't have any problems...
And it looks like the problem with the pump I just replaced is that it was not pumping fast enough...

Is this wrong?
btw, I checked the mixture but it is running lean actually.
The mixture screw is only 1.5 complete turns out.

propane seems to have no affect even if put directly into carb.
I'm kinda lost.

Post by **Piledriver** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 10:47 pm

Forget what the plugs read...

If you are shooting propane in the carb, and it doesnt change, it's rich.

If it was lean, it would speed up.

platform115 · Post by **platform115** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 6:38 am

So this sounds like it isolates my problem to the carb..
agree?
good compression, good spark, carb is adjusted properly but not running like it is set...
when all else fails, result to random acts of violence, so...
think I could give it a couple good wacks and it would work??

dstar · Post by **dstar** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 6:53 am

platform115 wrote:So this sounds like it isolates my problem to the carb..
agree?
good compression, good spark, carb is adjusted properly but not running like it is set...
when all else fails, result to random acts of violence, so...
think I could give it a couple good wacks and it would work??

NO! You can NOT run a Weber with 5-6 PSI!

You will be adjusting EVERYTHING all over the palce, trying to get it to run.

IF you get it to run at idle, it will DIE at 55-60 MPH.
If you adjust it and get it to run at 55-60, then it WON'T IDLE!

PSI is the VERY FIRST thing, to make SURE it is RIGHT, where the carb
is DESIGNED for!

I will run and adjust your carb this evening and ship in the am.
I REALLY needed to know what PSI YOUR system runs, so I can MATCH my system and adjust the carb accordingly....

I will adjust it to run best at 2.5 PSI and the rest will be up to YOU.

Whacking it only helps things if the float is stuck.......

Don

platform115 · Post by **platform115** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:46 am

NO! You can NOT run a Weber with 5-6 PSI!

I ran the same carb off of the same pump on my old bus with no probs though...
is there a good explanation for this?

You will be adjusting EVERYTHING all over the palce, trying to get it to run.
IF you get it to run at idle, it will DIE at 55-60 MPH.
If you adjust it and get it to run at 55-60, then it WON'T IDLE!

It actually ran pretty good, never had those problems.

I will run and adjust your carb this evening and ship in the am.

That is great! thanks a million!

I will adjust it to run best at 2.5 PSI and the rest will be up to YOU.

That's cool, that pump that is rated at 2-4psi is on the way! I'll get a regulator if it's off.

Oh yeah, and I wasn't serious about wacking the carb.. hehe