Hello,

I've got an '86 305 LG4 w/stock Qjet carb, electric choke.

A year ago I was getting a strong gas smell in the car. The garage I go to told me it looked like the carb was leaking gas, so I took it to a carb shop. They said it wasn't the carb, the electric choke was bad, so he replaced it, and the problem went away. It ran fine.

Now, exactly 12 months later, the engine started running on, idling fast, and started stinking of gasoline again. The shop checked it out, said that the carb was leaking gas and needed rebuilding. So they rebuilt the carb, but it still idles fast and smells of gasoline.

Could the electric choke be dead again? When I drive the car for a while and put it in Park, the engine races unless I punch the accelator, then it backs down to a slower RPM, and I can turn it off without it running on.

And could someone give a primer as to how the electric choke works? When the choke is "open" it doesn't give gas, when it's "closed" it does? If the choke is dead, does that mean it stays partially closed and gives too much gas at all times? Would that cause the car to idle up to around 15-20 MPH? And would it cause the carb to appear to be leaking gas?

Thanks,
John

 

The choke is a butterfly which restricts air flow and thereby increases (richens) the mixture to get a cold engine to start and run. It also has a cam which puts the car on high idle to keep it running. Pressing on the accelerator puts the choke on High idle. After it warms up you step on the gas again and it comes off the high idle cam. Since you are having to punch the acceleator to take it off high idle after normal driving then yes something is wrong. If the electric choke isn't working, the choke butterfly will either stay open all the time, not closing when cold or it won't fully open. Either way it needs to be replaced.