I have a 2Ltr 87 Space-Cruiser (170K) which has had some minor cooling problems (rad cap leaking - no thermostat fitted) which after much frustation, I have now sorted. I also had some problems with the choke staying on for far too long, though as this was not so bad in the summer months, I had presumed this was because the engine previously was not reaching it optimun running temprature (as there was no thermostat fitted). As I said, I have now fitted a new thermostat which is working great, but the choke is still staying on for far too long. Has anyone had simular problems and/or any suggestions how to rectify this problem ?
I'm thinking I should try carb clearer ? ..But would welcome any other suggestions.
- (#11267) Paul.L, 23 Oct 03 17:58
Check that the hose's to the inlet manifold are ok.
Carb clean is ok, remember it drips onto the exhaust, but most of the autochoke is inside. Are the choke flaps free to flap?
- (#11268) Clive, 24 Oct 03 2:34
Thanks for your reply Clive.
I took off the air intake attachment directly off the top of the carb and was surprised to see the choke flaps etc, really quite oily ! (I presume this was because it was previously running cold ?)
I sprayed carb cleaner liberally, left it a while and repeated. After leaving it roughly half hour to evaporate off, I started the bus up and it belched out a dirty great big thick cloud off brown smoke out of the exaughst. This simple procedure has made one hell off a difference to the performance and fuel consumption already (extra 15 miles per £10 of petrol !), and, I can now hear the twin choke coming in when I rev the engine ( nice!) However the choke is still staying on, but definitely not as bad as it was.
I checked the various hose's for visible splits and all were OK, but can not tell which ones are going to the inlet manifold (as I'm a novice), so I will try the same thing again but this time I will spray inside each and all the many hoses going to the carb, unless you, or someone else, can point me in the direction for the particular hose's operating the choke mechanism.
- (#11491) Paul. L, 29 Oct 03 10:16
Glad to hear you are getting some success but...
How long is too long? If you blip the throttle, after starting and leaving it on tick over for a minute or two, do the revs go down? Trying to figure out if it is the choke or fast idle that is the problem, joined at the hip but two different actions.
Water feed is by hose way larger than the black vacuum pipes, although also check they are clear/connected it may well help. If the water feed is restricted the choke may only be reacting to radiated heat from exhaust and or engine rather than the coolant.
May be worth having it tuned?
Another thought as it was oily, I assume from the crankcase breather, is the lower choke still gunged up?
Carb cleaner followed by RedX or similar may work wonders again, but I think the carb may need to come off to check the lower choke.
Look on the bright side, an over active choke is better than no choke at all.
- (#11492) Clive, 30 Oct 03 1:55
Having just read about other peoples problems with choke mechanisms, I think the carb cleaner should be used on my non working choke.
I would like to request a stereo wiring diagram for a 'G' reg spacecruiser if any body has such a thing that is. I want to upgrade the poorly stereo for an MP3 disc player but do not want to smoke it inadvertantly.
- (#11535) Devon Dave, 3 Nov 03 14:37
More likely the coil is not reacting/broken/duff.
If you are used to auto chokes take it off and have a look, if not leave well alone.
Have a look on the Archives for a link to a web site for radios, that gives the wiring for the Spacecruiser.
- (#11536) Clive (Bristol), 3 Nov 03 16:46