Carbie question - is this usual?

[newby@54]

Hi all


We've been away for a month leaving my 1962 SIIA (with original engine and carbie) in the garage. I started her up the other day to give her a run and she started easily enough and ran OK with the choke out. But when the choke light came on and I pushed the choke in she was very gutless. She only ran well with the choke out. Under the bonnet I noticed that the bottom of the carbie was very wet with water and felt very cold - condensation?


Eventually after about 10 minutes she began to run well without the choke out but still the condensation persisted until I parked her up again in the garage and the heat from the manifold warmed the carbie up and the condensation disappeared. I've driven her again since and the condensation issue remained but she did run normally when the choke was pushed in.


Is the condensation normal? I've not noticed it before. I know I live near Canberra but it isn't frosty yet. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.


Cheers


Nic

[harry]

probably normal, do a search on carby icing, rather than me trying to give you a technical answer.
it probably would go away if the car was driven and warmed up by driving it, part of the reason it has a choke for cold starting.

[jasonk]

Hi. My 69 IIA 4cyl didn't have this problem while it had the standard exhaust manifold fitted. When I replaced the cast exhaust manifold with extractors, then similar issues to those you described developed. With no physical contact between the extractors and inlet manifold, it takes much longer to warm the base of the carby.

I suspect though that your carby is an original Solex, while my IIA has a Zenith carby. Perhaps they behave differently when cold.

Good luck chasing the issues down.

Jason

[Blknight.aus]

Not uncommon especially if you have extractors and a cool dewy or misty morning

It's a bigger problem if you have wet fuel

[JDNSW]

As suggested, carburetter icing. In normal driving, with a standard manifold setup it is uncommon, but warming up by idling is when it is likely - but needs the right combination of temperature and humidity with high manifold vacuum.

John

[newby@54]

Thanks for the responses. I haven't seen the sun since we got home so maybe the humidity and temperature are perfect for the condensation to appear. It's always good to learn something new.


Nic