Question: My problem is, once the car is warmed up and I take
it out on the road, it's rough for a while. Then she seams to clear
out and runs real good. If I let it sit at idle for approx. 15 min. then take it out again the same thing happens. Could it be the floats adding to much fuel at idle? It also uses a lot of fuel. -- Glenn Jahier

Reply: A high float level can cause a flooded condition, but if the car will start, it should clear the excess fuel out in mere seconds.

Secondarily, a high float level will not get better the warmer the engine gets, in fact the excess fuel would cause the motor to run even worse when warm. I doubt that the problem is carb related. Try this test after a spirited run in the car. The motor should be FULLY warm.
Be prepared to remove the spark plugs as fast as possible. Start at the rear of the motor with the number six spark plug and work your way forward. What you are looking for is steam rising out of any one or more of the spark plug openings. If you see anything different emanating from one plug hole which is not coming from the rest, be prepared to pull the head. Hot soaks with a bad head gasket create just the symptoms you describe. Coolant fouls the plugs and it take quite a bit of running for the cylinder temp to rise high enough to vaporize the unburnable coolant, as well as dispel the overly rich mixture which occurs as the intake fuel charges build up in the cylinder.
Another test for flooding is fairly simple. Park the car after the same spirited run, and quickly remove the carb domes. If fuel is flooding over the jet head orifice(s) it can be readily seen. If
not, reassemble the carbs and look elsewhere for the problem.

-- Kim Blough

Return to Kim Blough Tech Tip Index