Vehicle:

 

1982 DL Brat

EA81, Hitachi carb

4 spd, Single range

 

Symptoms:

Stuck on high idle, RPM will not drop at the lights even after a 30 mile drive.

Valves need adjusting. Going to do that this weekend (I know how to fix that but I'm wanting to throw it out there to give ALL the symptoms I've got going on right now)

Engine "fluttering" or missing under load, it's got a HUGE deadspot when driving, not sure if that's related to the high idle situation or the loose valve train. There's just no more "go" no matter how far you bury the right foot, sometimes feathering the gas will cause it to pick up though. I thought it may have been bad gas but it's done it through 1.5 full tanks now.

 

 

Checks done so far:

1. Nothing jamming the throttle cable etc.

2. Sprayed down all vac connections that I can find with electronics cleaner. No stumbles detected which would indicate a vac leak

3. I did re-gas my AC system the day before the troubles started. Should I be checking the "Idle up" solenoid on the AC system to see if it's jamming open?

 

Plan of attack:

Adjust valve train

Check spark plugs and plug wires

Change fuel filter

Check idle up solenoid

 

 

Any other suggestions would be appreciated

the dead spot/feathering through, sounds similar to a problem I had with my first brat. I put a can of seafoam in the gas tank, and added some to the carb throat trying to clean it out.....

the dead spot/feathering through, sounds similar to a problem I had with my first brat. I put a can of seafoam in the gas tank, and added some to the carb throat trying to clean it out.....

Thanks McBrat!! I assume that it worked?

Checks done so far:

1. Nothing jamming the throttle cable etc.

 

Still doesn't mean something within the carb isn't screwed up.

Thanks McBrat!! I assume that it worked?

 

yes.

 

for the sticking at high idle, others on the board have had the ASV system go bad, and have plastic sucked into the carb, making it do that....

 

make sure nothing is blocked in the throat of the carb....

My solution............

 

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-32-36-DGEV-SUBARU/dp/B000JLL04A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1219349182&sr=8-3

My solution:

you are definatly capable of both.

that would be SWEET combined project "X"

UPDATE

This high idling is freaking absurd!! It's gotta be sitting around 1500 RPM or so and absolutely refuses to drop back. The one time I've noticed it drop back in the past 2 days has been when the AC turned off when I was dropping a movie at the store. The compresser kicked off and the idle dropped back to what it should be. It's stuck open again now though and bugging the hell out of me!

UPDATE

This high idling is freaking absurd!! It's gotta be sitting around 1500 RPM or so and absolutely refuses to drop back. The one time I've noticed it drop back in the past 2 days has been when the AC turned off when I was dropping a movie at the store. The compresser kicked off and the idle dropped back to what it should be. It's stuck open again now though and bugging the hell out of me!

Apparently there is an electric (or maybe vacuum) solenoid on the side of the carb that opens the throttle with the a/c on. Unplug the solenoid and see if it idles lower. If it does, plug it back in and adjust it's adjustment screw to about 800 rpm.

check your fuel pump. before mine went out, it surged like that a couple of times.

 

BW

So now I'm having trouble starting it when it's warm (stopped for gas 1/2 way to work today) I've got to floor it and crank then it'll catch on 1 or 2 cyls, kick and buck and then finally catch all 4.

Not to mention it dieseled after I shut it off at the gas station...

So now I'm having trouble starting it when it's warm (stopped for gas 1/2 way to work today) I've got to floor it and crank then it'll catch on 1 or 2 cyls, kick and buck and then finally catch all 4.

Not to mention it dieseled after I shut it off at the gas station...

 

make sure your disty adjustment is tight. I had one "slip" and had to floor it to start....

Cheers Mick!

I've got 1/2 a can of Seafoam in the fuel tank right now, I dumped the other half can through the carb on Saturday... Smelt great!

I'm also going to stick some new plug leads on it tonight if I can get some at the parts store

Well, this was left behind on the #3 plug when I pulled the plug lead to replace it...

 

Hopefully THAT problem is solved... now still gotta nail down the high idle

OK, the hesitation is gone now thanks to the plug wires. I've got a new bi-metallic choke on order to see if that kicks the idle back down like it should be.

By a cruel twist of fate the hesitation/dead spot is back. Gas mileage is down the crapper too... I filled up on the way to work yesterday and I've burned 1/2 a tank doing 60 miles @ 55 - 60 mph. Usually I average upwards of 26 mpg, I think I'm currently getting closer to 9mpg

The fast idle solenoid for the ac should be adjustable, but it is normal for it to be higher when the ac is on, but I don't know at what rpm. I would say 1000 tops.

You may have to rebuild the carb, not hard really, just try to get an OEM kit. The ASV valve may be leaking too, the one that lets air from the intake into the exhaust for emissions. It has a reed valve in it and if it fails it will allow exhaust into the intake and screw things up a bit. Also check that the EGR isn't sticking open. Clean the PCV.

Just wired the choke open. Even when the car is hot the choke was closed. I'll see if that resolves the issue. I've got another choke on order.

Failing that I'll go back to checking PCV and ASV etc...

Just wired the choke open. Even when the car is hot the choke was closed. I'll see if that resolves the issue. I've got another choke on order.

Failing that I'll go back to checking PCV and ASV etc...

Well if your choke was closed, that would cover all the symptoms you described, except the high idle. Unless the choke linkage was holding the carb on fast idle.

Seems to have fixed the problem, no more high idle, no more hesitation, and it idles so low at the lights that I have to rev it a little to make sure it's still running!