dodgy choke / carbs?

[gifftopher]

Hi

My auto choke is utter bobbins. I have to sit with foot on the gas for 5 mins on cold start or it dies. Not the end of the world as it means I always warm it up properly before driving, but it is getting a bit annoying. Went for a service a few weeks ago and was told carbs could do with "balancing". Not sure what this means.

It also lacks a bit when you put your foot down straight after starting it, even when hot. I found this out when pulling back onto the motorway after filling up the other day...yikes! Gets going after a bit though. Again, sitting for a few minutes after starting is the work around. Does sound like knackered carbs.

So, in summery; is cruddy auto choke normal? what does carb "balancing" mean? and why the heck didn't they make them with manual choke!

ps. 1981 CU A/C

[toomanytoys]

If the carbs look cruddy, then they would benefit from an overhaul..

if the spindles have worn (common problem) then no amount of balancing and choke adjustment (realistic adjustment) will help.. they need an overhaul.. although they could poss benefit from an expert eye to keep it going a for a bit yet. but NOT yer avaerage garage will be able to tweak them.. they need somebody "in the know"

Steve at gasure does overhaul the carbs, not sure of anyone else though..

[Spannerrack]

I have a vgc set if ypur interested give me a call

George 07909518515

[cumbriankeith]

I was lucky enough to find a pair of new old stock PDSITs for my CU lump at a show 5 or so years ago. Once they were set up right they are good. Starts on the button, idles and pulls away nicely from cold. The trouble with these carbs is they are fairly complex - so lots to go wrong/wear out - and lots to get right or wrong when adjusting them. Not many garages these days know what to do with them to get any kind of satisfactory result, let alone the best. Rolling road setup is best eg at Raceshack who are known for their experience with these engines/carbs.

Like has been said the spindles wear and cause lean/rough running - and the chokes are prone to giving up. When you see people saying their aftermarket ones are much better you shouldn't be surprised as they are most likely new and are being compared with kn*ckered ones they have replaced. That being said there are some conversions that seem to be a slight improvement - a bit of searching on JK will show up some more opinions...

[gifftopher]

cumbriankeith, thanks for the comprehensive reply.

What are my options re. replacements. I see gasure charge £140 to refurb the pair which seems good value considering I'd probably pay some fella towards £100 to faff about with them and it might not really help.

What about aftermarket. Are they stupid money? Are they easy to fit (I am a 2 spanners mechanic, max)

cheers

[toomanytoys]

And mine didnt tell you much?

[gifftopher]

And mine didnt tell you much?

Sorry toomanytoys, yours was also comprehensive and useful (jeez...!)

posting on this forum is a bit like having kids...

tetchy b*gger...

[cumbriankeith]

Don't worry about Si over in cheese-and-wine-land! He's only joking (aren't you?) and anyway he knows shed-loads more about these things than me.
Getting them sorted by Steve at Gasure would be a good move - then maybe get him to tune them on the van - cheaper than a rolling road session and probably nearly as good.

And Simon? How's the 2005 vintage wine shaping up? I hear it's goodun...

[toomanytoys]

Keith knows more about the aircooleds... I am a wbx man...

Dunno.. will ask about.. 05 a good un then?
2000 was great....

But we dont grow wine in our area... soil too good/not free draining enough.. we do Beef and Lamb down here..........