1981 Carburetor Question
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: New York
1981 Carburetor Question
Hi all!
Just a question about my 81 carb. I know that the carb being an' 81 and having an ecm, has a mixture control solenoid that you can hear "clicking" when the engine runs. Well mine doesn't seem to do that when the engine is running. When I put the car into self diagnostic mode however, I hear it working just fine. The car also seems to run great, but my idle is pretty rough and sort of surges a bit. I havent rebuilt the carb or tuned the car up yet but I will do both soon. I have so far changed the PROM and my coolant temp sensor (Two sources of Check Engine light activation that I had) My question is, for those of you who have an 81 with the ecm still existent and functional, do you hear the solenoid clicking noise when you put the key into the run position with the engine not started? Also do you hear it click when the engine is running? I had a 1985 GM car at one time with a CCC Carb, and it would click for 10 seconds with the key in the run position and the engine not started. I was wondering if the 81's are supposed to do this as well? And what could be possibly causing my solenoid not to function outside of diagnostic mode?
Thanks,
Joe
Just a question about my 81 carb. I know that the carb being an' 81 and having an ecm, has a mixture control solenoid that you can hear "clicking" when the engine runs. Well mine doesn't seem to do that when the engine is running. When I put the car into self diagnostic mode however, I hear it working just fine. The car also seems to run great, but my idle is pretty rough and sort of surges a bit. I havent rebuilt the carb or tuned the car up yet but I will do both soon. I have so far changed the PROM and my coolant temp sensor (Two sources of Check Engine light activation that I had) My question is, for those of you who have an 81 with the ecm still existent and functional, do you hear the solenoid clicking noise when you put the key into the run position with the engine not started? Also do you hear it click when the engine is running? I had a 1985 GM car at one time with a CCC Carb, and it would click for 10 seconds with the key in the run position and the engine not started. I was wondering if the 81's are supposed to do this as well? And what could be possibly causing my solenoid not to function outside of diagnostic mode?
Thanks,
Joe
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 165
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From: Stanley NC
Not sure where you are located but had my '81 carb remanufactured, not rebuilt, by All American Carburetors in Florida last year for $300 plus shipping there and back and all I can say is GREAT. All I did was install the carb and fire her up and no adjustments needed and she runs so sweet. Look them up on the web, you won't regret using them.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: New York
Thanks for the name of the carb service company. I checked out their site and I like what I see. As far as the solenoid goes, how can you tell if its functioning as the car is running? And are there any other sensors besides the coolant temp, and o2 that control the function of this solenoid?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
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From: Redruth Cornwall
Taken from a post by lanny81 in a thread I have running,
A really easy way to tell if the MCS is working is to use something small and lightweight like a small plastic straw and place into the hole on either side of the idle air bleed valve. If the MCS is working the straw will bounce around. The travel of the MCS plunger within the solenoid is only 4/32" so not alot, but easy to see
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
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From: Eastern North Carolina
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 72
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From: New York
I tried the straw thing and it worked. The solenoid is definitely functioning. Just need to rebuild the carb and tune her up and Ill bet that will smooth the idle right out. Thanks for the advice guys!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
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From: Boca Raton Florida
If the solenoid is doing its thing and the car runs reasonably well, but idles a little rough, just do the tune and see where that gets you. Hunting frequently indicates a vac leak.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
If you just turn the ignition swith to ON, the mixture control solenoid does not do anything...it has no reason to...so the primay metering needles are sitting at full rich in order to start the engine.
Now with the two terminals jumpered, puts the ECM into diagnostic mode and forces the mixture control solenoid to cycle at a set constant rate.
Good to hear that my little trick worked for others.
Check for vacuum leak as suggest to steady the idle. Carb is probably fine unless a jet is leaking. Oh and the jets in an E4ME are not removable like in QJets...well...not easily anyways.
Now with the two terminals jumpered, puts the ECM into diagnostic mode and forces the mixture control solenoid to cycle at a set constant rate.
Good to hear that my little trick worked for others.
Check for vacuum leak as suggest to steady the idle. Carb is probably fine unless a jet is leaking. Oh and the jets in an E4ME are not removable like in QJets...well...not easily anyways.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Gowrie IA
But the listing indicates just '82 - '85 - can anyone please confirm for me if this will work on my 1981 ? (I've tried calling them but can't get them on the phone - this one LOOKS just like the one from All American Carburetors in the picture above anyway)...
Thanks!!!
Rich
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 79
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From: Gowrie IA
NEVERMIND on the fitment question guys -
Ardell there did call me back to confirm that it's NOT the right one for my '81
What a super nice / knowledgeable gal she is too! Plan now is to send them my carb to rebuild ($195 + shipping)
Ardell there did call me back to confirm that it's NOT the right one for my '81
What a super nice / knowledgeable gal she is too! Plan now is to send them my carb to rebuild ($195 + shipping)
Last edited by rsnyderjr2; Apr 23, 2013 at 06:45 PM.
