1987 200 carb problems

[piston]

I have over the last couple of days decided to try and start my dads 1987 200 that has been sitting on the drive for 5 years or so(its a long story). I started off by putting some fresh fuel in removing all the spark plugs, cleaning them and making sure everything was sparking correctley by turning it over with the starter. I then tried to fire it up but it wouldnt start. So I then removed the fuel pipe off the carb to check the pump was working all seemed well but it still wouldnt start. I then got brave and removed the top off the carb itself. I cleaned it all out and lubricated the pin down the centre that was slightly sezied put it all back together and tried again but still the same. I then decided with my very little knowledge that if the fuel was getting through the carb then if I remove the spark plugs I would be able to smell unburnt fuel on them but I cant so i dont think the fuel is getting through. With limited knowledge of petrols I am now stuck and i would be grateful of any advice on what I can check or wether it is worth taking the carb off. Just to give you on Idea as for as I know it is a early 1987 200 with pierberg carburetor and the engine is only the start.

 

[996jimbo]

Did you change the oil?

It would be worth getting a compression tester and checking the compression - if it's been standing then the piston rings may well be stuck. If there's very low compression you could consider taking the head off and renewing the rings, or soaking them to try and release them.

With the carb - does any fuel squirt out when you operate the throttle? Can you smell fuel in the carb? You may have corrosion in the jets which is blocking them but I'm not familiar with Pierberg carbs so wouldn't want to advise dismantling it further - hopefully someone else will be able to help.

Sounds like an interesting challenge anyway. Good luck!

 

[piston]

No I didnt change the oil but if the piston rings were stuck does that not mean it wouldnt turn over with the starter? But I cant smell fuel in the carb so it may well be the jets. Thanks for the info.

 

[996jimbo]

By stuck I meant they were stuck in the grooves in the piston head in which they sit therefore not sealing against the walls of the cylinder, rather than siezed against the walls of the cylinder. Low compression would make it hard to start, especially having been stood a while.

Anyway it sounds as if you've found the main problem.

 

[piston]

Yeah sorry am with you now and you may be right. Just before I start to tear the carb to bits can you please tell me that if the rings were stuck then would I not smell unburnt fuel on the plugs?

P.S Can anyone give me a website that explains how carbs and advance and retarding the ignition works?

 

[996jimbo]

I hesitate to say but a good starting point would be a Haynes manual - I'm assuming you can get one for your car.

There is a very good website - basically a what makes it work. It has been referred to previously and I will try and find it.

By the way - the piston rings have nothing to do with the fuelling so whatever they were doing would not affect whether or not you would be able to smell petrol on the plugs.

*EDIT* I wouldn't start dismantling the carb without a very good idea of how it goes together - there are some very small fiddly bits that will be useless if they are so much as scratched. Would probably be easier and cheaper just to get a replacement carb if yours is no good.

 

[996jimbo]

Have a look through this web site:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

It's got pictures and diagrams and everything!

 

[piston]

Hiya thanks for the info. I did take the carb off and I stripped it cleaned all the gunk and grime out put it all back together and refit it. I can now get the car started it will tick over at 500 revs then it will go up to 1000 but will then drop and slowly die out any ideas? could it be flooding?

 

[piston]

Also any throttle also kills it.

 

[dogsbody]

1987 200 carb problem

You should be aware that petrol when it ages and evaporates, causes a "laquer" like product which gums up all sorts of jets and nozzles.
As it has been standing for five years almost inevitably this has taken place.
The only solution is to work very carefully by dismantling the carb. If you do not have an exploded diagram, the best modern equivalent is a cheap digital camera. Take a picture of each stage as you dismantle the unit, so you have a complete record of what goes where, and what it looks like. Get some nichrome wire for cleaning out jets and pathways within the carb body.
Once you have put the whole lot back together, it is worth giving a quick spray of Easystart into the air intake, before you crank the engine. If there is any sign of firing, that at least eliminates the possibility of lack of spark!

 

[television]

Sound like fuel starvation. You should have three brass jets inside, the small one is the idling jet,the other two are the choke and main jets,itsounds to me that one of these two are blocked. They must be taken out to clean.Just unscrew them and make sure they are clean.

Malcolm

 

[piston]

If it is an SU carb is there much diffrence to a normal carb?

 

[television]

fuel filter

If it is an SU carb is there much diffrence to a normal carb?

SU are just as easy, Just been thinking, the fuel filter can cause your problem. it is in line just in front of the petrol tank,they do not cost much and are part of normal service on a 123

Malcolm

 

[190D]

SU carbs have only one jet in them which is normally called a variable jet carburettor and a rubber diaphragm in them, where as other carbs have multiple jets in them

 

[tom7035]

The diaphragm can also become perforated. Check this carefully. Also the needle has to be centralised in the fixed jet.

 

[piston]

Yeah I thought it was thats the type it is. I have now got it running although it has got a misfire but I need to change the spark plugs and leads but its getting there. thanks for all advice.