My Drifter is running funny. IT will only idle with the choke on. On the road, it's functional with almost no spitting or surging, but at low RPM's it sputters and pops esp. when decelerating. When coming to a stop, I have to pull the choke or it dies. When I do, I feel a surge of power and the engine smooths out for a bit. I noticed, with the air filter off, what seems to be a large volume of fuel coming out of the big needl jet just inside the throat which is moved by the vacuum valve.
As for the symptoms, I replaced spark plugs, checked screen to petcock, made sure fuel tank vent tube was clear, have vacuum at petcock, have fuel to carburetor, cleaned carb wth carb cleaner, so far have run 1 tank of gas with sea foam. It seems to have no power issues, but it will only idle with choke on and I have to gun the throttle a few times and carefully to get it to keep running while I acelerate until I get up to road speed and I can drive normally. I'd almost swear it wa running rich except the choke issue.
Thanks
Sounds like a plugged pilot jet. Disassembly required. The actual part is pretty cheap, but cleaning it is cheaper...you shouldn't need any gaskets, since the bowl is sealed with an o ring. DO NOT USE any hard item to clean out the hole, soak it in a solvent...I would start with the sea foam you already have, full strength. Pull all the jets and put them in a sea foam bath and forget about them for a couple of days. I used to rebuild carbs all the time. The solvent/dip I used is no longer available...causes cancer in pregnant rats in California, or some such foolishness. It would clean out the gunk in about an hour, smelled terrible, stained your hands, but it WORKED!
Thank you. I figured I'll need to repair the carb. I'll take your advice as soon as practicable.
:o Twice now Troll you have hammered us Rats.....
Quotecauses cancer in pregnant rats in California
we need to keep them pregnant and barefoot is that what they say in Indiana?
All symptoms pointed to the pilot jet like Troll said. I managed to pinpoint the orifice in the carb throat and applied carb cleaner. That plus seafoam in the gas and riding yielded great benefits. It's now running @ 90% of normal and I'm optimistic that sea foam and gas will clear it up. If not, a carburetor cleanup is in my future. A heart felt thanks to all who provide aid and info here and other places.