1966 912

[jessewhittemore]

I have a 1966 912.....hard to start...have to keep pumping the gas to it......when I finally get it started and get the revs up it sounds semi right ....but if I let my foot off the gas it dies out......the temp guage never moves. Looked at the carb on the left as you are looking at the motor and it appears to be leaking gas......is it possible that the car is not running on all cylinders and that the gas has fouled out a plug or two and the car is only running on 2 or 3 cylinders? When in first gear and giving it gas...semi ok....put it into second and dies out......anybody got any ideas?

[wvicary]

You'll need to do a little diagnostics. Test the fuel pump pressure and volume. Remove the air filters, look down the carb throttle and operate the accellerator to see if they are discharging fuel. Any vacuum leaks?

With a vehicle of this age it's very common to find corroded fuel lines and tank. Has the fuel filter ever been replaced? A fuel leak of any type is serious let alone one on a air cooled engine. Never open the fuel system on a hot or even warm engine as the exhaust heat exchangers are famous for trapping raw fuel/oil and can ignite in a fraction of a second.

Have a fire suppressor at hand.

[Loren]

wvicary makes good points.

I would add to check that you don't have one or more stuck floats on the carbs. A stuck float will overflow the carb and give many of the same symptoms you mention.

[jessewhittemore]

In response to wvicary/Loren...new tank, lines, fuel filter, pump.....new carbs...not sure what type......I have a feeling that the carbs are not jetted properly and the plugs are fouled and not running on all cylinders....I am going to pull the plugs.....any advice there?

[Loren]

Even new carbs can have a stuck float.

[jessewhittemore]

Roger...I will check that...thanks!

[wvicary]

Be sure the engine oil isn't contaminated by petrol. No blockages in the exhaust system.

[c337cc]

Agree, Stuck float. Pull the fuel level sender & have a look in the tank for rust. Use a mirror & flashlight & look @ the upper surfaces. Carbs need to be gone thru too. Stuck float will not be the only problem. Solex or Weber carbs???

H.