My car died several days ago and because my mechanic is in Cuba until the 10th, I took it to another guy who I thought was an expert on the Stromberg carbureator (works on British race cars) However, he managed to fix the choke problem, and get it started.

The problem is that (after $350 labour)after he took apart the carb and choke, the car loses power sporadically to the point where I have to pull aside on the road to let other cars by. Yesterday I couldn't get it to go more than 10 mph!!! I figure I'd better wait until my mechanic returns instead of putting good money after bad, but is thee anything I can do to maybe nurse it along and avoid having it towed again?

AARON

1976 230.4


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I don't know if this will help but a buddy of mine had a 87 honda with a carb that exhibited the same thing. The problem was every time he hit the gas pedal the throttle linkage was missing the fuel open valve which is a button on the honda carb. He just wasn't getting gas into the carb at anything past idle.

I have a couple of questions regarding your carb. trouble.

Does your loss of power occur completely sporadically? Or only after its warmed up? When you could only go 10mph, what did your exhaust look like, any smell? I am going to assume you changed your fuel filter(s).
Does the car perform normally immediately after start-up?
How about checking the choke when it bogs down?

regards
_Larry

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03/83 300D
07/73 280

Actually, no. The car doesn't perform normally after warm up. It idles really low and it only idles when given gas and slowly let off of. i.e. if I rev the engine quickly then take my foot off the gas, it stalls and dies. I have noticed some black smoke out the rear, but the choke seems to be performing regularly when hot/cold (except in extreme cold where I may have to nudge the spring towards "rich" in order to get it started.) Yes, I know there's quite a few problems there, but I believe they're all carb related, and without a manual, I'm having difficulty trying to set the air/fuel mix correctly.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

AARON

1976 230.4

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The next thing that I would do would be to check for vacuum leaks 'round the carb.
Once you manage to get it started spray some WD40 or the like round the carb- anywhere that a leak could occur...also check any lines going to it.

Good hunting!
-Larry

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03/83 300D
07/73 280

Actually, that could be it, I haven't worked on it yet, but last time I checked it out I heard a sucking sound coming from the vicinity of the carb. I thought it may just be the water warmed choke but I couldn't find where the air leak may be.

AARON

1976 230.4

Well, found out the problem. In trying to get the car going, thinking it was the carb, I found that (after having the carb rebuilt) that I probably damaged one or several diaphragms. Lesson: Don't try to play mechanic unless you're sure of what you're doing.

Anyway, the car now gets me to work all right, but the idle is way off and I seem to be getting a sputter or "hiccup" when accelerating (Particularly at low RPMs) I, on the advice of a tech, adjusted the lower screw (or solenoid) on my Stromberg carb to let some pressure off the fuel needle. All this managed to do was increase consumption a bit and slightly increase RPMs. Unfortunatly, the problem still exists and I can't come to a complete stop without fear of the car stalling.

Any advice?

Could it be the choke?

Thanks again for all your help.

AARON

1976 230.4