[thaharlequin]

This isn't a serious problem, as much as it is something I'd like to get sorted out. I think my carb may need adjustment/cleaning in some way, but since I've never worked with carbs, I don't know where to begin. The symptoms are
-Let it sit for a few days and it won't start w/o pumping the gas.
-Let it sit for a few hours ~2-8?, and it'll start, but won't go to the warmup phase. It barely idles, and if I give it gas right away, it will die. Eventually it goes to the warmup idle.
-At certain rpms in each gear, it hesitates/cuts out just a bit. This occurs lower in the rpm band, never happens when I wind it up. This is especially noticable in N->1st, as I really need to give it gas or else it stalls. I can't slowly let out the clutch and have it idle off like I do with my Rabbit. This doesn't happen as much when it's warm.

Any ideas?

 

[GregoryM]

First problem is probably at least partially due to the current formulation of gasoline. Gasoline today, is formulated to work best in fuel injection systems. The rest of your symptoms sound like the automatic choke could be out of adjustment. You do not provide enough information to narrow the diagnosis with any specificity, IMO.

 

[thaharlequin]

What other informatino would be useful? Thanks btw!

 

[82toyo]

With a carb you need to pump it a few times to get fuel into the carb and to kick on the idle. From what you are asking I am assuming you are used to fuel injection and all this is done automatically. With a carb you need to tell it what to do. I usually pump the gas peddle 2 or 3 times and that will open the idle circuit. After it warms up and idles fast you pump the peddle once and it will drop to normal idle. Hope this helps out as a carb is different then fuel injection.

 

[GregoryM]

Some things to try: New fuel filter, air filter, PCV valve. The automatic choke has an adjustable thermostatic spring and a fast idle cam/adjustment screw. The former will determine how long the engine stays on fast idle mode and the later adjust the actual engine speed at fast idle. The adjustments and specifications are covered in most any repair manual for your vehicle. If you don't already have one, try to obtain a good manual. Note that your driveability issues may persist and ultimately there may be other problems which are at fault. It is just difficult, given the nature of "diagnosis by correspondence" to fully evaluate your problem. Good luck.

 

[thaharlequin]

Huh. So pumping it before you crank is normal... That's nice to know! I'm not sure if the adjustable thermostatic spring is set right, but it seems to keep the engine idling high for a decent amount of time, and it does drop to normal when I blip the throttle. Hmm.. there's a Bentley manual for it too....