• Registered: 2010-08-24
  • Posts: 1

Topic: gas from fuel line to carb??

First, let  me start by saying I am female and dont know a whole bunch about some of the technical stuff so please explain simply. LOL!  I have a VW trike-aircooled-1971 model engine with Solex 34 Pict 3 carb-single port. My problem is it wont keep running.  I replaced fuel filter and gas did look nasty(yellowish milky). The fuel pump is working great however it seems the gas is not getting into the carb. You can pour gas into the carb and it will start and run fine for few minutes but you have to keep pouring gas into it in order to do so.  With the fuel line disconnected from carb there is another hose from carb that gas keeps pumping out of. Where is that coming from and why is gas not getting into carb from fuel line? Also, there is a part sitting on the driver side(left) of carb that is round-just sticking out-what is this? cant find it anywhere. Looks like a small can-shaped thing. LOL If anyone can deduct anything from what I'm saying, I would appreciate any help. Let me ask too that Ive read something about blowing out something on the passenger side of carb. Does that apply to this carb? Thanks and Im sorry Im dumb in this department.

  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 630

Re: gas from fuel line to carb??

Has the trike been sitting for a while without running?  (Wondering after the comment on the appearance of the gas...)

1979 Type 1 Convertible                                       1976 Scirocco (For Sale!)
1971 Type 1 Semi-Automatic Super                       1968 Type 1 Sedan
1961 Type 1 Sedan
1957 Type 1 Sunroof

Der Bugmeister's Website

  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,882

Re: gas from fuel line to carb??

Welcome. It sounds like your carb needs to be taken apart and cleaned. Possibly the needle valve is stuck but if the trike has been sitting for any length of time the rest of the carb is gummed up more than likely. The round can type thing is the electric solenoid to shut off the fuel supply. The other thing is the idle jet on the right side of carb that gets plugged sometimes and needs cleaned. But in your case probably take off the whole carb and clean it.
You sure of the 34PICT on a single port engine? 34 series was usually on a dual port engine. 28 30  series were used on single ports.

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • From: Fresno, Cali
  • Registered: 2009-10-03
  • Posts: 17

Re: gas from fuel line to carb??

Glad to hear that someone out there has a trike besides me, lol.  That can thingy on the left side of the carb, that is a fuel shut-off valve.  Is there a wire connected to it?  You should have a wire harness that connects to that part, as well as the electric choke heater.  If there isn't a wire furnishing 12 V to those two items, it will not run well, if at all.  If you could post a picture, it would be helpful, (for me anyway.)

David
Director,
Brothers of the Third Wheel
Central California



http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h111/thirdwheelbro/trikefront.jpg

God is still in charge and prayer changes things!
Chaplain Dave
  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 630

Re: gas from fuel line to carb??

@burr - a 71 engine should normally be a dual port, so the carb makes sense...

A couple good pics would indeed be ultimately helpful in making sure connections are in the right places!

1979 Type 1 Convertible                                       1976 Scirocco (For Sale!)
1971 Type 1 Semi-Automatic Super                       1968 Type 1 Sedan
1961 Type 1 Sedan
1957 Type 1 Sunroof

Der Bugmeister's Website

  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,882

Re: gas from fuel line to carb??

deerfisherman wrote:

Solex 34 Pict 3 carb-single port.

Just trying to clarify things for easier diagnosis. Besides what's "normal" on these ancient things?;)

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 630

Re: gas from fuel line to carb??

burrhead wrote:
deerfisherman wrote:

Solex 34 Pict 3 carb-single port.

Just trying to clarify things for easier diagnosis. Besides what's "normal" on these ancient things?;)


Guess I need to adjust my single port glasses!

Normal is anything that we didn't anticipate, isn't it?

1979 Type 1 Convertible                                       1976 Scirocco (For Sale!)
1971 Type 1 Semi-Automatic Super                       1968 Type 1 Sedan
1961 Type 1 Sedan
1957 Type 1 Sunroof

Der Bugmeister's Website

  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 554

Re: gas from fuel line to carb??

Perhaps she means the carb is a single port or throat, as opposed to a Zenith or Weber? But then, it could be a thousand other things!

Anyway onto the troubleshooting...

Deerfisherman, it runs when you pour gas into it; are you pouring gas just down the throat of the carb? How did you check if the fuel pump is working? On it's own will it start and run if you keep the throttle open part way?

If the fuel pump is disconnected from the carb and plugged, there should be no gas coming out of anywhere. There is one fuel line to the carb, up to two vacuum lines for the distributor, one electrical connection to the cutoff valve on the left side, and one electrical connection to the choke on the right side.

The fuel line from the gas tank should go to the upper connection on the fuel pump, the lower one connects to the carb... just in case they got crossed wink

Do you get a shot of gas down the throat of the carb when you open the thottle? If not, then that means your fuel bowl is empty and your float valve is stuck or plugged. It could also mean the accelerator pump has it's own problem, but it would be a clue because if the accelerator pump DOES work, then you are getting fuel into the fuel bowl. If you don't get that shot of gas, then you'll need to open the top of the carb by removing the 6 screws and the choke wire, and look for yourself.

Paul

  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,882

Re: gas from fuel line to carb??

Altema wrote:

Perhaps she means the carb is a single port or throat,

This is why we ask questions, everyone's terms may not be the same  wink

Der Bugmeister, My tri focals work nice for reading on the monitor smile

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.