Choke Is Lazy

[EMS]

I ran into a real nice set of carbs for the 80 project. They are squeaky clean inside and look very good. I hate to tear them apart, but the left side of the chokes (cyl 1-3) lags behind, when I pull up the lever. It looks like the spring, that actually moves the rod, sticks a little. Anybody ever had this and is there an easy remedy? Spraying some WD-40 or Kroil in that area?

[spencer]

I don't think it is a good idea to use any lubricant on carburetor linkages. You would probably be better to try to find something misaligned or bent which could be causing the problem.

[NobleHops]

I ran into a real nice set of carbs for the 80 project. They are squeaky clean inside and look very good. I hate to tear them apart, but the left side of the chokes (cyl 1-3) lags behind, when I pull up the lever. It looks like the spring, that actually moves the rod, sticks a little. Anybody ever had this and is there an easy remedy? Spraying some WD-40 or Kroil in that area?

Nit: WD-40 lubricates for a short while and then when its carriers evaporate it does not. It's a net step backwards for lubrication. Much as they would have you believe otherwise, this should not be used when a lubricant is needed. A light oil like 3-in-1 is a much better choice.

N.

[EMS]

try to find something misaligned or bent which could be causing the problem.

Very unlikely the cause.

[spencer]

Well, if nothing is sticking, except the spring, which you say might be sticking, then maybe the spring needs to be cleaned. If that's not the problem, maybe it is not correctly connected. It is possible for that spring to be in position, and appear to be connected, when in fact, one end of it has slipped from where it should be hooked, and is hooked somewhere else. It may look right, until you compare it to the one that works correctly. I have seen it happen. Evidently, someone cleaning the carburetors, had bumped that spring, and it slipped to the wrong position. It looked pretty much normal, until it was compared to the other spring. As a result of its wrong location, the choke plates on that shaft only moved a small amount, and did not close like the other three plates. If you don't understand what I am saying, I can send you a picture of the situation I found. I hope you find your problem.

[EMS]

spencer: I can follow your description and I did check the connection before. I think the spring is sticky and needs cleaning, that's why I thought of using some kind of spray to do this. When I move the butterflies directly, they move easy and without restriction. Only when I try to actuate them through the cable lever, the left side lags. If I jiggle the lever a little, the butterflies eventually close.

[NobleHops]

spencer: I can follow your description and I did check the connection before. I think the spring is sticky and needs cleaning, that's why I thought of using some kind of spray to do this. When I move the butterflies directly, they move easy and without restriction. Only when I try to actuate them through the cable lever, the left side lags. If I jiggle the lever a little, the butterflies eventually close.

Mike: On my carbs there were two thin metal plates that joined the linkages: One had a stud and the other a hole. During installation I managed to jar one from the other. Stud is supposed to engage hole to make the linkage. Check that?

N.

[daves79x]

Mike:
The very end of the choke shaft has a couple of tabs for the spring to hook to and to guide the spring coils. Make sure each side looks the same (mirror image). As Spencer said, maybe something has come off there. Also, the tabs are very close to rubbing on the carb flange right there. Check to see if it might be rubbing just a bit.

You would want to clean the area there with carb cleaner and a toothbrush. Rinse with brake cleaner. Be careful about dislocating the spring when you do that. You want the area clean and dry - no lube - it will just accumulate dirt.

Otherwise, did you have to clean the carbs out or are they ready to bolt on? At least check the operation of the accelerator pump on the bench and for leaks before installing.

Dave

[EMS]

I did check all the mechanics and installation/location of the spring and everything was O.K.
The carbs were supposedly ready to bolt on, but I will check all the circuits, just to make sure.