What are the symptoms of a clogged carburetor?
2 Answers
If the idle circuit is clogged, there will be no idle speed, and the engine will stall when you take your hand off the throttle. If the acceleration circuit is clogged, the vehicle will lack power, struggle to accelerate, and be reluctant to move even when the throttle is opened. Here are some maintenance tips for carburetors: Regular cleaning: Periodically clean the carburetor to keep its fuel and air passages clean and ensure the small orifices are unobstructed. This is crucial for extending the carburetor's service life. Filtering impurities: Air enters the carburetor through the air filter. Since the filter cannot be too dense, some tiny impurities in the air may still pass through and enter the carburetor. If the air filter is of poor quality, it can cause more severe issues.
The most obvious symptom of a clogged carburetor is that the engine becomes extremely difficult to start, especially when cold—it takes forever to fire up. At idle, the car shakes and stalls frequently, making you nervous at traffic lights worried about stalling and disrupting traffic. When accelerating, pressing the gas pedal feels like dragging a heavy load—the car responds sluggishly, especially when climbing hills, where it lacks power. Fuel consumption also inexplicably increases—suddenly jumping from 10 liters per 100 km to 12 liters, wasting money. The exhaust might emit black smoke with a burnt smell. These issues stem from poor fuel flow, causing uneven air-fuel mixture. In severe cases, engine overheating is common. Driving this old clunker was a hassle until regular carburetor cleaning and using cleaner gasoline made a big difference.
