Running rich - What do I do
Discussion
What carb(s) are you running?
It sounds like you have a carb problem rather than simply having the wrong needle or needle setting.
I should get it sorted as an over-rich engine will suffer 'bore-wash' - that's when the excess fuel washes the oil off the sides of the bores and rapid bore wear occurs. The you need a re-bore and new pistons, which is not cheap.
It could be all sorts of things like a stuck carb piston, bent needle, stuck choke cable, etc, etc.
It sounds like you have a carb problem rather than simply having the wrong needle or needle setting.
I should get it sorted as an over-rich engine will suffer 'bore-wash' - that's when the excess fuel washes the oil off the sides of the bores and rapid bore wear occurs. The you need a re-bore and new pistons, which is not cheap.
It could be all sorts of things like a stuck carb piston, bent needle, stuck choke cable, etc, etc.
If you have a HS Stlye Carb. It has the float chabler stuck to the right hand side of it as you look at the engine, first check that it isn't leaking.
Check the choke cable moves freely and oil the linkages on the carb.
Then after a good run with no choke, check the condition of the plugs.
White - car is lean, and you probably have a petro leak.
Black - Rich
Brown - Ok
If the plugs are black, reach under the car to the bit that sticks out from the bottom and you will feel a thin nut that is above a spring. Turn this one "flat" anti clockwise when looking from the top of the carb. Then drive a bit more. Anti clock is leaner, and vice versa.
Check the choke cable moves freely and oil the linkages on the carb.
Then after a good run with no choke, check the condition of the plugs.
White - car is lean, and you probably have a petro leak.
Black - Rich
Brown - Ok
If the plugs are black, reach under the car to the bit that sticks out from the bottom and you will feel a thin nut that is above a spring. Turn this one "flat" anti clockwise when looking from the top of the carb. Then drive a bit more. Anti clock is leaner, and vice versa.
Sorry couldnt reply sooner, Im running standard 998 carbs (1.5 S.U?). It does run fast at tickover, but I thought the throttle cable(its got a yellow sheath) was getting stuck under the air filter, last time I checked the spark plugs they were black and the gaps were way out, sorry if this is no help if you need more dtails ill try and get them.
GreaseNipple
I see you are London based. If you want to solve it once and for all, pay a visit to Airey Tuning, just outside Winchester - only 10 mins from the M3. Tom Airey (owner) is an A series genius, and has every part for every carburettor you will ever put on a Mini, plus full rolling road facilities. I've owned Minis for 11 years and Tom is second to none. Contact him on 01962 771845.
I see you are London based. If you want to solve it once and for all, pay a visit to Airey Tuning, just outside Winchester - only 10 mins from the M3. Tom Airey (owner) is an A series genius, and has every part for every carburettor you will ever put on a Mini, plus full rolling road facilities. I've owned Minis for 11 years and Tom is second to none. Contact him on 01962 771845.
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