Holley Carb Problem

Jay Dutton · Posted: May 17, 2004 3:05 pm Post subject: Holley Carb Problem

Having some problems w/the Ol' Dixie. She fired up first try and made it 10 min to our riding spot. When we got to the spot, as soon as I backed off the throttle she died.

She will only stay running at high rpm. I noticed the the two circled parts of the carb were just sputtering out fuel. Sometimes fast or just a trickle. Needless to say we didn't ride and I had to turn the idle up ridiculously high to make it back to the marina.

She made it back to the marina no problem, however once there she died again and wouldn't stay running so I had to walk her on the trailer.

Any suggestions? Cleaner, rebuild? I just replaced the fuel filter.

Thanks in advance.

dubers · Outlaw Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 129 City: Santa Cruz

I'm no carb expert but it sounds like exactly what happened to me this weekend. I think what happened with mine is a my secondaries got stuck open. Where you running the boat wide open before dropping back to an idle? I'm gonna try giving mine a good cleaning this weekend to see if that unsticks them.

salmon_tacos · Posted: May 17, 2004 3:30 pm Post subject:

Well, it seems to me like the float mechanism isn't working on that side of the carb, letting fuel pressure squirt fuel out of there instead of just keeping the bowl full.

Maybe you got some junk in the fuel line when you replaced the filter, which subsequently jammed up the works somehow? OR...maybe there was a pre-existing problem and replacing the filter finally allowed enough pressure for the problem to manifest itself.

Unless, it's time for a complete rebuild, you can probably just take the bowl off the one side, clean it out, and see if that fixes your problem. I once had a piece of gasket in the bowl that would occasionally block the needle valve in there, causing my truck to unexpectedly die. It was a bitch to diagnose.

Of course, it's been over 10 years since I've messed with a carb so maybe I'm forgetting something.

Jay Dutton · Posted: May 17, 2004 4:05 pm Post subject:

Alright, so I just took off one side of the carb.. Look at all the crap in there! I'm assuming that is the problem.. I hope I can get it back on right again. I know absolutely nothing about carbs. Hopefully I won't have to take it to the shop. Keep the suggestions coming. Thanks.

Dr.Giggles_ · Newbie Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 23 City: NOR-CAL

I had my carb rebuilt last summer. Just took it completly off my boat, took it into my mechanic, and he regbuilt it for like 200bucks. I think it was well worth it, my boat runs much better.

I know it may not have been necessary, but am very happy with the results. The kits for rebuild are not very expensive, and to someone who knows how, the rebuild seems fairly easy as well. Maybe ask around, you possibly could get it rebuilt for the same price as a flush and tune.

Just an idea. Good luck.

Jay Dutton · Posted: May 17, 2004 5:34 pm Post subject:

I think I fixed it. I tore both sides of the carb off and cleaned them thoroughly. She fired right up and idled great. Fuel wasn't sputtering like it was before too nor was it sucking loudly. We'll see what happens next time I drop her in the water.

Thanks for the responses.

vette74 · Posted: May 18, 2004 4:53 am Post subject:

FYI: That model of carb has two circuits the main and idle. Your carb was only running off the main circuits (fuel coming out the top). The idle circuit is under the throttle blades and it was clogged. Post back if you need more help.

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Thanks to MPFI, I never have that problem anymore. I've been down the road many times though. Setting float levels on the bench instead of on the boat will change it some too. A carb on a boat is as much good as a screen door in a submaraine (IMHO)

Nontheless - looks like you have found the problem this time anyway Laughing