1.1 Carb stalling + no power

Hey all,

Recently picked up my first carbed MK1, a little 1.1 formel E. Previous owner said there were some running issues and now I'm finding them out.

Car doesn't get warm (or at least the gauge doesn't say so), only runs when the manual choke is pulled out. It'll run with it half out, but will stall when pushed back in (even if running for 20mins). When moving the car under its own power, it feels sluggish and doesn't have much go at all, I don't expect amazing power out of 1.1 carbed but its definitely down. It smells like its running quite rich and blowing a bit of white smoke out the back. Plugs have been changed but were very thick with black soot. Are there any vac lines to check etc?

Any idea's? I've changed the dizzy cap and rotor, spark plugs, inline fuel filter, air filter and warm air feed hose to the carb. It's got an original 'Solus' carb on it. Could it be a compression issue? Or maybe the carb needs tuning?

If the plugs are black and sooty then it is running to rich which wont help with running, not really up on small block  engine but a common problem on big block is the rubber gasket which the carb sits on can split and let extra air in an? To check it start car and wobble the carb and listen for any change in idle or spray some carb cleaner/easy start etc around the gasket while the car is running and again listen for a change in idle.
Driving about with the choke on is not going to help as you are just adding more fuel and that could be another reason your plugs are black and the car is down on power as it's not getting enough air.
Try to get it tuned and timing checked to see if that helps.

Exactly what mark1gls said.

I have a Formel E and those would be the first things I'd do/check.  

Ran a compression check on it, results not so good. Do they run high compression on these 1.1 engines? 135 on cylinder 1 and around 195ish on 2,3 and 4.

Sounds like the valves aren't seating properly? Needs the head gasket doing anyway as I'm sure it's leaking oil between the head and block but seems like it's going to be more of a project than originally thought!

Thought I'd throw up a little update in case anyone else had the same problem.

Turns out the inlet valve was starting to burn out and left a slight leak, enough to hold compression but down about 30%. This would explain the poor readings with the gauge when tested. Head has been completely stripped and a new valve sourced, skimmed and new head gasket set ready to go on. It's also been totally decoked, so hopefully any excess carbon build up will be gone. Once it's all fitted, going to find someone to tune the carb properly. Love a bit of progress!

If it wont run without the choke pulled out, sounds like its starving of fuel, first i would check if the carb idle jet is blocked,

change the fuel filter and clean out the carb bowl.

you could also get the carb ultra sonic cleaned, solexs can have the whole idle circuit bunged up not just the jet. also check the accelerator jet squirts when the carb opened.


also check the distributor vac advance diaphram isnt bad



 

oh and no temp could be engine thermostat has gone bad