Bills money pit
Well-known member
Recently I posted a cry for help to fix an idle and surge problem on my 81 E4ME carb. This is an update that I hope will help others with a similar problem.
After checking for a vacuum problem, I could not locate one. I decided to remove the carb and to disassemble it. I was concerned that I might not have the knowledge to do this, but out of frustration I was going to give it a try.
Once I took it apart, I soon learned the internals of the carb are not that complicated and was concerned without cause. The first problem I found was one of the four brass fuel tubes that attach to the carb top had fallen out and rested in the bowl area. I took the tube and a rubber hammer and repositioned it. Next I noticed the throttle shaft openings in the plate had excessive slack so I ordered a bushing kit from Cliffs Carbs. While the carb was apart, I decided to replace the M/C solenoid and the TPS (throttle position sensor). The bushing kit cost 59.95 and the solenoid and TPS about a 100.00. I also purchased a rebuild kit for 23.00.
The bushing kit was so easy to use and it only took about 20 minutes to complete the job.
I reassembled the carb and using the 81 shop manual, I adjusted it as best I could without the recommended specility tools. The engine started and the rough idle and surging are gone. Also, an off idle hesitation is now gone. The car runs better than it has since I have owned it.
What fixed the problem, well I am not sure. I am sure the slack in the throttle shaft was part of the problem and the fuel tube falling down must have added to the rough idle. Did the new solenoid and TPS play a role in the fix, well I do not know. The bottom line is the car now runs excellent.
I might add that if you plan to rebuild the carb, you can do it yourself and do check to see if you need bushings in the throttle plate.
I hope this helps and thanks to those who gave me advise.
Bill
After checking for a vacuum problem, I could not locate one. I decided to remove the carb and to disassemble it. I was concerned that I might not have the knowledge to do this, but out of frustration I was going to give it a try.
Once I took it apart, I soon learned the internals of the carb are not that complicated and was concerned without cause. The first problem I found was one of the four brass fuel tubes that attach to the carb top had fallen out and rested in the bowl area. I took the tube and a rubber hammer and repositioned it. Next I noticed the throttle shaft openings in the plate had excessive slack so I ordered a bushing kit from Cliffs Carbs. While the carb was apart, I decided to replace the M/C solenoid and the TPS (throttle position sensor). The bushing kit cost 59.95 and the solenoid and TPS about a 100.00. I also purchased a rebuild kit for 23.00.
The bushing kit was so easy to use and it only took about 20 minutes to complete the job.
I reassembled the carb and using the 81 shop manual, I adjusted it as best I could without the recommended specility tools. The engine started and the rough idle and surging are gone. Also, an off idle hesitation is now gone. The car runs better than it has since I have owned it.
What fixed the problem, well I am not sure. I am sure the slack in the throttle shaft was part of the problem and the fuel tube falling down must have added to the rough idle. Did the new solenoid and TPS play a role in the fix, well I do not know. The bottom line is the car now runs excellent.
I might add that if you plan to rebuild the carb, you can do it yourself and do check to see if you need bushings in the throttle plate.
I hope this helps and thanks to those who gave me advise.
Bill
