Stuck in parking lot!

[TeeJayHoward]

Oddest thing is happening right now… drove my car down to Target for a booster shot. Zero problems on the way here. I get poked, head out, and the engine is doing its best to sit at redline like the throttle is stuck open! So I pull over, pop the deck lid, and realize that smoke is coming out of my carb hats. It smells HEAVILY of fuel. The throttle is indeed sticking, but not just open - something in the carbs is binding and doesn’t want to let it turn easily. The linkage all moves freely - whatever the problem is, it’s in the carbs.

Additionally, from looking through the glass into the bowls, I can see bubbling fuel… and it’s low. Plenty of gas in the tank.

So, before I call a tow truck, anyone have any ideas?

(‘81 3.0L w/ PMO carbs)

[2svnhvn]

Don’t know what tools you have available with you, l would separate the left and right carbs to try to isolate the issue. Also one of your float needles may have stuck, perhaps tap on the side of the float bowls to unstick
Good luck
Pete

[TeeJayHoward]

Originally Posted by 2svnhvn

Don’t know what tools you have available with you, l would separate the left and right carbs to try to isolate the issue. Also one of your float needles may have stuck, perhaps tap on the side of the float bowls to unstick
Good luck
Pete

Had a similar thought. Started the car and it fired up with no issues. Disconnected the linkage, still idles fine. Tried to move both of them through the full range of motion, no issues on either. Reattached the linkage, went through the motions, again, no problems. Driving it home.

edit: Made it home with no issues.

Additional info: daily driver, ethanol-free gas only. Carbs new - installed under a year ago. Brown discoloration forming on exterior of carbs. Phenolic spacers that came with the kit are installed. Not overheating:

[2svnhvn]

Glad you made it home! Quite the mystery. Perhaps check for the proper level of fuel in the float bowl and that all linkages are moving with no binding and smoothly all the way back to the gas pedal.

[PeteKz]

If it was an airplane, I'd think you had carburetor icing, which stuck the throttle open until the ice melted. It can happen on carbureted cars too. Was the weather cool and damp?

[TeeJayHoward]

Originally Posted by PeteKz

Was the weather cool and damp?

~75*F, 14% humidity. 45 minutes of driving followed by 30 minutes of sitting in the sun.

[snbush67]

Just a guess, could be that one or both throttle shafts are bent or binding. Possible result of the carburetor being unevenly or over torqued to the manifold.

[TR911RS]

Not sure about you’re problem, but that tach is killer more info please

[TeeJayHoward]

Originally Posted by TR911RS

Not sure about you’re problem, but that tach is killer more info please

Speedhut.

this one, if I recall correctly. 3D printed ring needed to seat it properly.

[Funracer]

You have zero oil pressure at idle? Even hot is that normal?

[TeeJayHoward]

Originally Posted by Funracer

You have zero oil pressure at idle? Even hot is that normal?

Dunno, been like that the whole time I’ve had this car. No issues with oil pressure when cold, but once it warms up, that gauge goes to zero and the oil level and temp gauges start working.

[Dpmulvan]

Tell us about your carb install, pump/ regulator/lines/ return. You have some percolation going on.
And why are you still letting them stick you with that crap??

[Balisong]

Maio Car Die Tus

[flat6pilot]

Glad it's working again!

Can I get a closeup of your RPM gauge? What are the idiot lights listed on the right. And who did the mod for you? Is that a tell-tale I see?! maybe a reflection.

[$yncro]

Is that a normal oil pressure? 0 at idle?
Just curious.

[TeeJayHoward]

Originally Posted by flat6pilot

What are the idiot lights listed on the right. And who did the mod for you? Is that a tell-tale I see?! maybe a reflection.

The idiot lights on the tach are just a shift light setup. I installed the tach and designed/printed the mounting ring myself. I've got it sync'd off the coil instead of the CDI+ since I didn't have the CDI+ when I bought the tach. Not sure what a tell-tale is.

Originally Posted by $yncro

Is that a normal oil pressure? 0 at idle?
Just curious.

No idea. It's only 0 at idle once it's warmed up. And I verified today, @ 4K RPM it's showing 3 on the pressure gauge once warmed up, so it's still working.

As another update, the car is still running perfectly. I don't know what the heck happened, but it seems to be over it.

[Locker537]

Did a rock or something get stuck somewhere holding the throttle open? Weirder stuff has happened.

[PeteKz]

Speedhut tachometers:

https://speedhut.com/categories/gauge-applications/revolution-racing-performance/led-lit-gauges/performance-led-tachometer.html?_ga=2.201976273.1781889820.1681433 490-717221399.1681433490