Technical How do you adjust a choke?

[EmbersOfChaos]

I suspect that my Uno is not pulling in enough air, I literally just replaced a tyre, so didnt fiddle with anything, she starts but the moment I release the key she cuts off, and it smells like she is burning really rich.

Not a hundred % sure if it is even the choke thats causing it ... but thats just one of the things I have seen here on the forum being suggested.

I am definitely a newbie when it comes to working on cars, but I did check that she is getting spark.
She was also running fine 3 days ago, as I had to fly to sign a contract at a new job and get set up with all my tools and stuff .. so today was the first time starting her since Monday. She was running decently then.

 

[bugsymike]

If you take the air cleaner off and look down the carburettor you should easily see the choke flap which is connected to a cable operated by the control we talked about before inside the car.
Once cold engine has started you should be able to push the choke lever nearly all the way in and engine should tick over.
The choke flap in top of carb. should be almost vertical so not restricting/choking engine.
If engine still dies, then look down top of carburettor, if you can see petrol and it smells strongly of petrol then it is possible carb is flooding due to a faulty float or needle jet.
Another clue is if you pull the spark plugs out and they are covered in black soot.
I have fixed many in past , but you do need to watch how it all comes apart so you don't lose any bits or make any mistakes.
If you can find a manual of your car and carburettor that will help you understand it better.

 

[EmbersOfChaos]

Hi there, thank you

I did check the spark plugs and they are covered in soot ... all 4 of them..

Is the float and needle jet something that can be fixed or are they going to need to be replaced if they are the culprits?

The lil nugget definitely smells strongly of petrol when I try to start her up, I will take the filter off tomorrow again and check what you have suggested, wind is picking up here and shes not allowed in the garage tonight ... ... landlords son is here so he gets priority ...

 

[bugsymike]

Hi there, thank you

I did check the spark plugs and they are covered in soot ... all 4 of them..

Is the float and needle jet something that can be fixed or are they going to need to be replaced if they are the culprits?

The lil nugget definitely smells strongly of petrol when I try to start her up, I will take the filter off tomorrow again and check what you have suggested, wind is picking up here and shes not allowed in the garage tonight ... ... landlords son is here so he gets priority ...

Check with air cleaner top off so you can look down carb like I said.
You have to stop the flooding first, then put nrew/clean spark plugs in or it will continue misfiring or dying.
Some times with top of carb off and choke wire, also fuel inlet pipe removed you can see how the float works to shut the needle valve, with float carefully removed you can remove and clean needle jet, it can just be dirt, then reassemble jet and float, find a clean pipe and blow through petrol inlet, when in normal position float hanging down jet will be open so you can blow through pipe as you turn the carb top upside down it should shut the valve so you cannot blow through it. If it shuts off but on rreassemble it still floods then unlikely but can be a damaged float full of petrol so heavy which you should notice when stripped to check. If all good then sometimes a small adjustment of float height will fix a problem usually by gently bending the tab that actuates the needle valve.
Note. If you don't use a clean pipe you will taste petrol for the rest of the day.

 

[EmbersOfChaos]

Okay, tried taking the carb off, but that things is torqued on so tight that I am basically hanging on the wrench with my full weight (Not that much to be honest, am a pretty regular build kinda fellow) and the sucker just wont budge.

On a side note, the thread of my spark plugs seem to be wet, but it doesnt feel like oil, nor does it smell particularly of petrol?

I have everything reassembled again for now and tried starting her, she took for about 3 seconds after taking my hand off of the key, but died thereafter.... she then continued with the previous issue of wanting to start and there was an extremely rich smell of petrol.

 

[bugsymike]

Okay, tried taking the carb off, but that things is torqued on so tight that I am basically hanging on the wrench with my full weight (Not that much to be honest, am a pretty regular build kinda fellow) and the sucker just wont budge.

On a side note, the thread of my spark plugs seem to be wet, but it doesnt feel like oil, nor does it smell particularly of petrol?

I have everything reassembled again for now and tried starting her, she took for about 3 seconds after taking my hand off of the key, but died thereafter.... she then continued with the previous issue of wanting to start and there was an extremely rich smell of petrol.

Don't need to take the whole carb off just the top held down with screws after removing the choke cable and petrol pipe, take a photo if you can I can maybe explain better , unless you can find a picture of it on the internet. It should only be straight screws with a normal screwdriver.
Wet around plug hole can be oil leaking down from rocker cover above and dripping into the plug hole, so not critical and unlikely to get on plug until you undo it and oil runs down the hole.
If you can't undo the screws on the carb top I will get one of my daughters to do it for you.

 

[EmbersOfChaos]

Bugger me you telling me I struggled with the bolts for nothing

The screws were tight but not nearly as bad as the bolts.

I will have a go at it and let you know if I need reinforcements aint scared to admit I am not particularly strong...

 

[bugsymike]

Bugger me you telling me I struggled with the bolts for nothing

The screws were tight but not nearly as bad as the bolts.

I will have a go at it and let you know if I need reinforcements aint scared to admit I am not particularly strong...

Normally I leave carb in place and just take the top half off to access the float and fuel needle valve etc.
Depending on the type of carb some have the carb mounting bolts go right through the top in to the base, if that is the case then you will have to eat your weetabix.

 

[jackwhoo]

@bugsymike
Hi Mike,
I don't think this poster should be getting in so deep just yet.
He needs instructions how to use the choke . Plus lives in very mild climate.
Cheers
Jack

 

[bugsymike]

@bugsymike
Hi Mike,
I don't think this poster should be getting in so deep just yet.
He needs instructions how to use the choke . Plus lives in very mild climate.
Cheers
Jack

True although I expect many younger drivers have never seen a choke lever.

 

[jackwhoo]

True although I expect many younger drivers have never seen a choke lever.

Op hasn't seen one.
He posted pic asking what it was.

 

[jackwhoo]

Op could go on web and find online copy of owners manual and read how to use choke

 

[EmbersOfChaos]

Actually the advice was pretty solid, took of the top of the carb and one of the jets were snapped in half ....

So i suppose its time for a new carb?

Also, my choke wasnt doing its job ... as the cable was literally just flopping around .... so need to find a way to hold that in place after getting a new carb ...

Second reason for wanting to get a replacement is that the throttle was only held on by one bolt cause the othe had snapped off in the carb....

I got her as a project, didnt expect it to be as big of a project.

 

[bugsymike]

Actually the advice was pretty solid, took of the top of the carb and one of the jets were snapped in half ....

So i suppose its time for a new carb?

Also, my choke wasnt doing its job ... as the cable was literally just flopping around .... so need to find a way to hold that in place after getting a new carb ...

Second reason for wanting to get a replacement is that the throttle was only held on by one bolt cause the othe had snapped off in the carb....

I got her as a project, didnt expect it to be as big of a project.

I believe there was a Weber carb converstion for those which are more efficient and may be s/h on eBay if lucky.
We used to fit Weber conversions on Ladas and Moskvich's in the 70s and a great improvement on the original Russian twin choke carb.

 

[bugsymike]

I got her as a project, didnt expect it to be as big of a project.

What is it they say "Buy in haste repent at leisure", I have done that a few times.

 

[EmbersOfChaos]

I have always wanted an Uno, and I guess her Nuggetness is just part of what will make this a fun project to work on.

Plus now that I work from home, major bonus on not needing a working car

 

[jackwhoo]

Original carb was Webber I think

 

[EmbersOfChaos]

Original carb was Webber I think

The one in here is a Webber as well, currently looking to see if I can find a replacement near me and some gaskets/seals as those are basically disintegrated as well...

 

[bugsymike]

Original carb was Webber I think

Sorry, shows how much I know.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I believe there was a Weber carb converstion for those which are more efficient and may be s/h on eBay if lucky.
We used to fit Weber conversions on Ladas and Moskvich's in the 70s and a great improvement on the original Russian twin choke carb.

It may well have an auto choke too