AMC Eagle Den Forum
The Mighty 258 => Fuel Systems. => Topic started by: jim on April 16, 2011, 02:10:35 PM
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Here is my sad story. The 83 wagon has a reman motor with a non feed back carb. For 5000 miles it has run so well it's hard to describe. Peppy, starts whatever the weather just by turning the key, no choke needed, etc.
We drove it from Little Rock to Omaha for the meet, and after the crew there found the vac leak it did great.
I recently drove it to another town 130 miles away. Drove it all around town a good bit.
Started back, drove about 50 miles and stopped for gas. It didn't start. I finally used the booster battery thing I had, pumped it a good bit and it started. Since then it wil not idle. It will stall sometimes but it will start right back up with no problems. I haven't had starting problems since then.
I have sprayed all kinds of stuff all over the motor, tightened everything I can find, and if it has a vac leak I can't find it.
I took it to a new Chrysler Jeep dealer that combined with a long time Jeep dealer that was closed in the big dealer whatever when the gubmit got involved. I found out that the service manager and his 2 sons and a long time Jeep mechanic came over to the new place.
I took the wagon to them and later was told the carb should be rebuilt because it was dumping gas in the motor. It would cost $351. I questioned why a carb with 5000 miles had to be rebuilt and then I could hear the mechanic talking to the "service advisor". He then said the carb has trash in it and he needed to take it apart and clean it.
I can get a carb from rockauto for about $175. I picked up the Eagle and brought it home.
I don't think they even checked for a vac leak, even though I discussed it with the main service manager.
Will someone pinpoint the idle pickup tubes for me?
I can see gas flowing in the bottom of the carb. In picture 2 there is gas coming out of the top opening,whatever that is, but not the one at the bottom of the picture. The openings in pictures 1 and 3 are dry.
Let's call these pictures 1,2 and3.
1
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v416/jimmiesmith/carb%2080%20on%2083/th_carb3.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v416/jimmiesmith/carb%2080%20on%2083/?action=view¤t=carb3.jpg)
2
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v416/jimmiesmith/carb%2080%20on%2083/th_carb2.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v416/jimmiesmith/carb%2080%20on%2083/?action=view¤t=carb2.jpg)
3
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v416/jimmiesmith/carb%2080%20on%2083/th_carb1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v416/jimmiesmith/carb%2080%20on%2083/?action=view¤t=carb1.jpg)
I'm feeling discouraged about now. I would like to retire someday (like a few years ago) but have to keep working to support my Eagle habit. If I could get half of what I have in the whole fleet I wouldconsider giving someone else the pleasure of keeping them up, but I know that's not going to happen.
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Picture two are the venturi boosters. That's where fuel should be coming from under speed, but not at idle.
I might suggest to check if the return line were clogged. It could be overfilling the carb, then I'd take the top off, adjust the float, and spray anything out with cleaner.
You could have picked up some dirty gas or had some dirt in the tank. It may be easy enough to fix without a lot of money.
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Even if the carb needed a "rebuild" it's only about $20 for the kit and new float. The Napa kits come with a nice diagram and a couple adjustment tips. They are very easy to do, if you have a spare hour kicken around, lol.
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Thanks, Ben. That's what I needed to know. Gas does come out of the top (in picture 2) venturi tube at idle.
I just have trouble accepting that a carb with 5000 miles on it needs to be rebuilt. I can easily believe that it could have trash in it.
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My first thought would be to check the float, make sure it is not sticking anywhere in its range of movement, and make sure it does not have fuel in it. Also check to see that the fuel inlet needle is seating properly.
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I just came in from tinkering with this. I have decided I'm not sure after all which are the idle tubes, but none of them are dribbling.
I did pull the needle valve (again). It is not stuck. Some gas did come out when I pulled it, but not a lot.
After it goes dead I have to give it just a little pump to make it start. That doesn't sound to me like it has too much gas.
I will check the float. Thanks for that thought. I also have a new fuel pump. I may install it.
I'm Eagleless at the moment. The 88 quit on the way to work this morning. How many Eagles will I have to have in order to have one running?