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Locate the idle mixture screw and turn it clockwise until the needle lightly touches the seat. Then, turn the screw counterclockwise 1-1/2 turns. If your carburettor has a main jet adjustment screw at the base of the float bowl, turn the screw clockwise until you feel it just touch the seat inside the emulsion tube.
Q: How Do You Tell if a Carburetor Is Rich or Lean? A: One way to tell for sure is by “reading” the spark plugs. If the plug tip is white, the mixture is lean. If it’s brown or black, it’s rich.
The engine should rev smoothly and quickly as soon as you apply throttle. If the vehicle is displaying any sort of sluggish performance or misfires when you apply the throttle, then more adjustments are required.
Make adjustments 1/2 a turn in either direction to find the smoothest idle speed. Turn the screw counterclockwise and clockwise 1/2 a turn from the middle position and listen to the sound of the idle. Set the screw in the position where the engine’s idle sounds most even and smooth to balance the fuel mixture.
Once the engine has arrived at operating temperature, go back to the carburetor and adjust the air fuel mixture screw, or screws. Tightening the screw increases the amount of fuel, while loosening decreases the amount of fuel.
Not only can a rich air/fuel ratio cause a backfire, a mixture that doesn’t have enough gasoline can cause a backfire, too. A “lean” mixture is one that doesn’t have enough fuel, and too much air.
A lean fuel mixture (too little fuel for the amount of air in the cylinder) can cause an engine to have a surge or miss at idle and part throttle, stumble on acceleration, engine overheating, cause a lack of power, and create possible engine failure from the lean air/fuel mixture.
Lack of secondary accelerator pump shot and a delayed secondary opening will increase fuel economy. The vacuum secondary carb’s fuel calibration is usually more efficient as well. In either case, make sure the idle and main air bleeds located on the top of the carburetor remain clean and unrestricted.
(b) Turn the jet adjusting screw (2) clockwise to enrich or anti-clockwise to weaken, until the fastest speed is indicated; turn the screw anti-clockwise until the engine speed just commences to fall. Turn the screw clockwise very slowly the minimum amount until the maximum speed is regained.
On most carburetors, turning the mixture screw in (clockwise) leans the mixture, while counterclockwise (out) enriches the mixture. Initially, if the engine stumbles or the vacuum drops when turning the mixture screw in, turn both screws out about a -turn and evaluate the results.
An air screw adjusts how much air is being delivered thru the pilot circuit: in is rich (less air) and out is lean (more air). A fuel screw adjust how much fuel (or air/fuel mixture) is being delivered from the pilot circuit. In is lean (less fuel) and out is rich (more fuel).
Generally, a backfire is caused by an imbalance in the air to fuel ratio. Fuel To Air Mixture Is Too Lean Too much air and not enough fuel causes backfires to occur in the intake manifold. The exploding mixture then vents through the carburetor. Improper carburetor adjustments or vacuum leaks can cause this condition.
The popping is a result of the air/fuel mixture becoming very lean when the throttle is closed and the engine is rotating well above idle speed. It is also necessary that the exhaust system have rather open mufflers.
TLDR – running just a little lean could improve fuel economy and give extra power. However, run too lean and you risk engine failure because the engine runs too hot. Whereas running rich can waste fuel and increase pollution but will not damage the engine.
Vacuum leak: Vacuum leaks can cause a lean fuel mixture. Inspecting and replacing damaged vacuum lines with good hoses and clamps can solve a lean problem. Clogged fuel filter: clogged fuel filters will limit the amount of fuel requires by the engine.
Lean running conditions: If your engine is running too lean, the spark plug will be white. If the spark plug is black and oily, they are oil fouled.
Run the engine for five minutes at half throttle to bring it to its operating temperature. Then, turn the idle mixture screw slowly clockwise until the engine begins to slow. Turn the screw in the opposite direction until the engine again begins to slow. Finally, turn the screw back to the midpoint.
* Here, if you turn the screw towards the engine (CLOCKWISE) the carb sends in more fuel. This is also referred to as “running rich”. Whereas, if you turn the screw towards the air filter (COUNTERCLOCKWISE), the carb sends in more air. This is referred to as “running lean”.
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