The Washington times., 1923-04-21
HOW To LOCATE
CARBURETOR
TROUBLE
Time Can Be Saved by Sys-
tematic Process Of EIimi-
nation Of Parts.

In tracing carburetor trouble of
any kind, regardless Of its nature.
time can always be saved by fol-
elimination, eliminating the units,
which are found when tested, to
be all right. These can be traced by
certain symptoms. Thus, too lean
a mixture will cause backfiring and
stall the engine when the throttle
is opened suddenly. Misfiring,
when due to carburation, is caused
by unequal fuel distribution, while
refusal to start is due to a lack
OF mixture at the carburetor. The
above troubles frequently present
themselves in cold weather and are
more frequent than those :. rnen.
toned below. as one is always in
terested in obtaining the maximum
economy and likely to favor too
lean a mixture. Troubles due to
leaks and too rich a mixture are
more apt to be caused by natural
wear Of the parts comprising the
fuel system, says a writer in Au-
tomobile Digest.
The first step in shooting carbu
rotor troubles is to test the engine
while running and noting it's gen.
eral action to establish the symp-
toms. To do this testing II is many
times necessary to race the engine,
but this. should be avoided when
ever possible, as it will eventually
lead to troubles of greater conse-
quence, such as loose bearings,
noisy engine, etc. "A careful study
of the symptoms will readily lead
one to the general nature Of the
trouble and then permit a system
attic search for the cause. Careful
attention to details while making
the test is essential and will in the
end result in the definite location
and repair of the trouble. Trouble
should never be looked for in the
system unless the en-
CINE Is warm and In good running
condition otherwise.
Correctness of any carburetor ad.
justment can be determined by the
idling condition of the engine. Too
lean q low-speed adjustment will
cause the engine to idle poorly and
it will often die after running spas
An extremely rich ad
justment of the low speed at idiing
speeds will produce very pungent
odor to the exhaust. Too rich
mixture at high speed produces
black smoke at the exhaust, and too
lean a mixture will cause backfiring
81 as1asV h{cr1N
speed adjustment IL correct when
the engine family indicates backfir-
ing with. retarded spark which dis
appears when the spark is ad-
vanced. ~
When the above symptoms pre-
sent themselves, one should not
jump at conclusions and assume
that the carburetor adjustment is
at fault, for these conditions can
also be set up by mechanical de-
fects. Any restriction of the fuel
flow through the carburetor will
cause backfiring and irregular run
ming; this is also true of air leaks
at the manifold connections or valve
stems. A leaky float or worm float
valve will disturb the adjustment
of the mixture, making 1t more
rich and thus. cause a sluggish
action of the engine. Wear in the
levers which connect the stranger
valve at the carburetor to the
choke or dash control will cause
hard starting and a rich mixture.
The carburetor adjustment may
be wrong, but this cannot be
proven until the engine is running;
therefore, the logical point to start
with is the fuel supply. Examine
the rear tank for gasoline, open
the lower drain of the vacuum tank
and insert Il wire in the opening if
gasoline does not flow, as sediment
many times will clog this outlet.
Next lift the float valve of the car
buretor for a few seconds. This
systematic examination of these
units will prove the presence OF
fuel in the float chamber and
the possibility of major
permitting an analysis of
the minor details.