Different Q-Jet Problem

[BigRed76]

After my last 2 tanks of gas I have noticed drastically lower fuel economy. Upon investigation the carb is the culprit. What I have found is that at idle, when looking down into the carburetor you can see a consistant fuel stream coming out of the main nozzles (which from what I have learned are only used in the main metering system, since the idle mixture is discharged from only the "idle discharge hole"). So what would cause fuel to be coming out of the main discharge nozzles at idle? Is it something I can fix? I have read the entire carburetor section of my service manual and it doesn't give any troubleshooting for this.

[cableguy0]

The most likely culprit is a sunken float from a hole in it or a bad needle and seat. You could also try a float adjustment but if its a new problem and came suddenly. I would lean toward the float being bad or trash in the needle and seat.

[BigRed76]

I double checked the float setting and it is still right at what the spec is, but should I disregard the factory float setting and set it a 1/16 or 2 lower?

[cableguy0]

Are you sure the float actually floats? Pull the needle and seat apart and check for trash. Make sure the vent tube is clear.

[BigRed76]

I did not check the float, but I will do that tomorrow after work.

[geezer#99]

Links for you.
http://www.vetteprojects.com/kstyer/quadrajet.htm
http://www.florida4x4.com/tech/quadrajet/

Sounds like it's flooding. Check for junk in the needle and seat. Pull the filter out of the inlet and flush out with carb cleaner. Adjust your float down a touch if you need too.

[CaptRMW]

Zach buy a new float, it's a throw away item when you take it out. Properly set and you will likely have your problem solved..

[sv10001975]

a quick tip for clearing the needle and seat is to disconnect your coil wire so it won't fire and just behind the choke housing is a vent hole, you can take weed eater string and put down this hole and you can push the float down. once you do this, have someone turn the motor over or turn on electric pump if you have one and this will pull needle off seat and most of the time you can flush a piece of trash off the seat. you will need to take carb apart afterwards and clean trash out, but this is a quick check without removing anything but air cleaner

[BigRed76]

Well today I removed the air horn, took out the float and tested it, It still works fine. I then removed the needle and seat and cleaned them really well (didnt notice any garbage on them) and reinstalled them. I then set the float to 11/32 (spec. from manual). I then fired it up and it ran like crap. Seemed like it was starving for fuel, so I adjusted the idle mixture to see if that would help but it made absolutely no difference. Then after about 1 full minute of running the carb began flooding, so i shut it off and haven't touched it since then because I had to leave. I now have no idea how it can still be doing this...