Engine will not idle?

parkerm
parkerm Expert Adviser
edited May 2012 in HUDSON
Guys,

I have a 1940 super six. It has been sitting for over a year and I have only occasionally started it. Now when I start it the engines races. I have always needed to pump the foot feed before the engine would start and I did that this time but when it started it raced with the engine at full throttle. I have checked the linkage and it all seems loose or rather not stuck. I don't know what is causing this can someone suggest a reason and what I should to to fix it?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Parkerm

Comments

  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Look for a vacum hose broken or disconnected.
  • hudsonsplasher1
    hudsonsplasher1 Senior Contributor
    A leaking gasket under the carb will cause a fast idle also.
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    If it's racing at full throttle, then the throttle is partly or fully open. Return spring broken? Linkage jammed?

    Open the choke (top butterfly in the carb) and look down in there and see why the lower (throttle) butterflys are not closing. Use a flashlight. Too many fires are caused by using a lead light.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Another possibility is the high idle thingie on the carburetor. On mine ('37) when you start the engine it idles high, then you tromp the gas pedal (foot feed) and it quiets down. Maybe that thing needs adjustment in yours.
  • I think your answer is in your own words. "It has been sitting for over a year and I have only occasionally started it". The worst thing for an old car to do is "Sit" . They are not like modern cars ,if you read the manual about oil and lube points. The intervals were very frequent and places that nowadays are ignored.
    Lube all the moving points on the gas pedal linckage from the base of the pedal to the throttle plate pivot itself. and i bet the issue goes away.
    And if not you have just done part of the 500 mile maintenance,
    Roger
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