Based on the number of threads I found when I did a search, I know that carb issues are a common problem. I read a bunch of the threads, but I still need some expert advice.
First, here's the backstory: My '78 FJ 40 ran very well for several years. I had to take it out of commission for about a year while I installed a new body and had some paint work done. Although I removed the fuel tank, there might have been some residual fuel left in the carb.
Now my FJ and I are back on the road. I've put a couple hundred miles on in the past few weeks, but the FJ is not running right. It starts up beautifully, but I have to run it with the choke half on, even after the engine has warmed up to 190 degrees. At every stop sign, I have to depress the clutch and quickly pull the choke out all the way, or else the engine stalls. I've replace the fuel filter and the spark plugs. The gas tank is new, and I double-checked the lines to make sure all connections were right.
At first I thought there might be some kind of fuel starvation issue, but my mileage has gone from 12-13 mpg (last year) to half of that (or less) now. (Running with the choke half on ruins gas mileage, I bet.) In Maine, we now have ethanol in our fuel. I've been adding Stabil's marine formula to fuel that I know will sit for a few weeks.
Since everything worked so well before, I hope that maybe the carb needles are just dirty. What do you think? Is cleaning the carb needles and jets similar to cleaning those on a snowmobile, or would I be out of my league?
Thanks in advance.
First, here's the backstory: My '78 FJ 40 ran very well for several years. I had to take it out of commission for about a year while I installed a new body and had some paint work done. Although I removed the fuel tank, there might have been some residual fuel left in the carb.
Now my FJ and I are back on the road. I've put a couple hundred miles on in the past few weeks, but the FJ is not running right. It starts up beautifully, but I have to run it with the choke half on, even after the engine has warmed up to 190 degrees. At every stop sign, I have to depress the clutch and quickly pull the choke out all the way, or else the engine stalls. I've replace the fuel filter and the spark plugs. The gas tank is new, and I double-checked the lines to make sure all connections were right.
At first I thought there might be some kind of fuel starvation issue, but my mileage has gone from 12-13 mpg (last year) to half of that (or less) now. (Running with the choke half on ruins gas mileage, I bet.) In Maine, we now have ethanol in our fuel. I've been adding Stabil's marine formula to fuel that I know will sit for a few weeks.
Since everything worked so well before, I hope that maybe the carb needles are just dirty. What do you think? Is cleaning the carb needles and jets similar to cleaning those on a snowmobile, or would I be out of my league?
Thanks in advance.
