Jack Williams

Car Care: Signs Your Carburetor Needs Fixing

While many newer car models are built without carburetors, they've been phased out since the early 90's, some older vehicles still rely on them. Their function is vital to letting the engine operate. It's the carburetor's job to supply fuel to the engine via an intake vacuum. Aa1car.com gives us the signs that your carburetor might not be functioning properly. Does your car show any of these symptoms?

Starting Problems: Having difficulty starting your car can be caused by a choke that fails to close. Each choke has a housing structure that holds a spring that contracts and expands as the temperature fluctuates. This spring opens and closes the choke plate. If this spring is broken, the choke won't close. As aa1car.com explains, "A broken choke will also prevent the engine from idling properly...which can cause it to stall until it reaches normal operating temperature."

Hesitation While Accelerating: When your car stumbles while accelerating, it could be a sign that your carburetor is broken or has a weak accelerator pump or worn throttle shafts. After having removed the air filter, you can check your accelerator pump by looking into the carburetor and pumping the throttle. A functioning carburetor will show jet fuel being squirted into each of its barrels.

Stalling: Stalling can occur if your car's idle speed is too low, the fuel mixture has too much air, or if it won't burn at all. This can all be fixed with a simple adjustment, but if your car is sucking air through a vacuum leak, your vehicle will continue to stall. The leak must be found before other adjustments can be made.

These are just a few of the symptoms of a failing carburetor. Be sure to come see us with any of your car maintenance questions!