Will rebuilding my carburetor significantly improve my gas mileage?

Question

I have an 84 nissan pickup and yes the carb very much needs rebuilt, but for the last year I have just been spraying it with carb cleaner, but my gas mileage is horendous. Oh and I have my idel set to fast also I'm sure.

Answer 1

An 84 likely also has clogged emissions components, like the reed valve and the charcoal canister. I recently dissassembled an 85 toyota pickup. I rebuilt the carburetor rather easily in 6 hours, and Ive never done such a thing before. I bought a 1 gallon can of cleaning solvent (which comes with a basket inside to dip parts directly in the can) and I also used steel wool, a BRASS (which is softer than steel and so wont damage the steel surface significantly) bristle brush that fits into an electric drill. I made that carb shiney and new with a 60 dollar rebuild kit. Only problem I encountered was the electric clutch which I ended up rigging a manual choke in its place, and then I didnt take a picture of the hoses. TAKE MANY PICTURES OF EVERY DETAIL BEFORE YOU DISSASSEMBLE< SO YOU CAN PUT IT BACK TOGETHER! The teardown manuals aren't very helpful in this regard. Use a parts tray and arrange parts in sequencial order when you take apart, then clean one at a time in order, then reassemble using gasket sealers and fine lubricant on moving parts. Spray down the whole unit with wd-40 after you machine the metal surfaces, to prevent rusting. I would also suggest coating exposed surfaces with a high temp paint (carefully!)

Answer 2

Significant... no, noticable... plosible. I own a 84 Dodge Diplomat, I got it with a Carter 2bbl, ran it for a few months and replaced it with a Holley 2bbl, but it wasn't built exactly for my car so it didn't work out too well, but I rebuilt my Carter and noticed the increase in horses, torque and slight gas saving. Replace old spark plugs and wires, air filter, and use a few containers of the fluids that you add to your gas and oil to relieve your vehicle from build up which may be blocking proper flow of fluids (which would make your vehicle work harder causing lower gas milage and all round performance.) If you don't know what your vehicle should sound like in proper idle, don't adjust your fuel intake without mechanic supervision, too little, your truck will die, too much and it may be the last thing you do... but good luck friend.

Answer 3

have it rebuilt by a carburetor shop, you remove and take in or they can r&r and setup. most comp. control carbs have mixture solenoids. they do fail over time. with new solenoids you could pay up to 500 when you are done. you can get rebuilt solenoids at some carb shops, but then it's still a used part that was cleaned up and tested and repaired if needed. now are you sure there isn't a vacuum leak from hoses or gaskets. don't spray carb cleaner in computer controlled vehicles. plugs up the catalytic converter,coats o2 sensor which makes it slow to sense and respond.

Answer 4

Yes it will help dramatically. An engine is a giant pump, and it will burn fuel any way it can. Volumetric efficiency is the key.
All of the rest of your fuel/air delivery components are taking a beating. You, and people like you are the reason for computerized engine controls. Try that with a car made after 1991.
Your plugs are screwed, air filters are screwed, egr, evaporative emissions, oil is contaminated, and I'll bet you are emitting poison out of your tailpipe. I know cars are expensive, I know gas is too,
how much are you saving by not getting it fixed? If it starts dumping gas, or ignites the raw gas in the oil, or back fires through the plenum, you could have a major fire.
Please get it fixed, for everyone's sake.

Answer 5

I would try and locate a rebuilt one before trying to rebuild it yourself. Rebuilding them is a tricky job for the home mechanic and since your truck is over twenty-two years old this is a good idea. The engine could be getting tired as well and that has a lot to do to affect gas mileage.

Answer 6

You may want to consider looking into adding a fuel reformulator. These super lubricants like Ethos FR add a very small cost to your fuel bill but you more than make up for that with the extra milage. You will keep more money in your pocket and your car will run better with lower emissions. This is especially beneficial in older cars. See the details at the link below:

Answer 7

Boy can't you save up $200 or so have it done right

ie new or Good ReMfg one

ie replace the intake manifold gasket also!

I'm thinking $60 bucks ...all that time and what if you miss logged something, dirt whatever in an internal passage ... trouble trouble

Answer 8

you should have done it sooner but never to late u might also do a tune up on it and check the hood decal or buy a book on maintaining your vehical you should also follow your owners manual as to when to do certin repairs even when u feel there not reqwierd if u want a good car u have to maintain it

Answer 9

Sounds like if you have to prime it every time you might consider rebuilding or get a good one at a salvage yard.

Answer 10

this is the only answer you should see


a Hitachi carb' is junk get rid of it and replace it with a Weber they are pricey but trouble and maintenance free after initial adjustment