72 Kikaki Carb Won't Idle -- blocked Air-Jet?
Posted: March 11th, 2010, 8:12 pm
Just got my 1972 Kitty Cat back from the A/C dealer. It had been lightly used in 1973, and then stored in a dry barn. The piston was frozen, so we replaced the crankcase seals and gearcase seal. It started right up today, but it won’t idle. It just dies if you let up on the throttle. He said something about lack of vacuum, and he thinks I need a new carb (not sure what brand) for about $150.
Tonight I disassembled the carb to see if I could find anything wrong. I had cleaned it before, but I had not removed and cleaned the nozzle. I did that today, using carb cleaner and a Q-tip. I’m not sure which way the holes were facing before but, thanks to this forum, I now know they’re supposed to face the engine. If they were facing the wrong way before, could that be the cause of the idling problem? I will try to start it up again tomorrow.
There’s a small brass tube at the top of the choke valve opening. It’s labeled “Air-Jet” on the parts diagram (not the “Main Air-Jet,” which is further back in the choke opening). From the shape of the carb body, it looks like this Air-Jet opening, beginning with the brass tube, runs halfway along the top of the carb body, then makes a 90 degree turn and opens to the outside. I stuck the carb cleaner straw into this tube, and it’s completely blocked. Isn’t it supposed to lead somewhere? Could this also be the cause of the idling problem? Any ideas how to open this passage, besides finding the world’s smallest drain snake?
Tonight I disassembled the carb to see if I could find anything wrong. I had cleaned it before, but I had not removed and cleaned the nozzle. I did that today, using carb cleaner and a Q-tip. I’m not sure which way the holes were facing before but, thanks to this forum, I now know they’re supposed to face the engine. If they were facing the wrong way before, could that be the cause of the idling problem? I will try to start it up again tomorrow.
There’s a small brass tube at the top of the choke valve opening. It’s labeled “Air-Jet” on the parts diagram (not the “Main Air-Jet,” which is further back in the choke opening). From the shape of the carb body, it looks like this Air-Jet opening, beginning with the brass tube, runs halfway along the top of the carb body, then makes a 90 degree turn and opens to the outside. I stuck the carb cleaner straw into this tube, and it’s completely blocked. Isn’t it supposed to lead somewhere? Could this also be the cause of the idling problem? Any ideas how to open this passage, besides finding the world’s smallest drain snake?