Things that Will Tell You It's Time to Clean Your Car's Carburettor
If you are a first-time car owner, one of the challenges you might have is to diagnose problems with your car. With time, the problems can worsen and lead to a major breakdown. Just like many other parts, your car's carburettor can deteriorate gradually and lead to severe problems in your engine. Essentially, the carburettor is used to mix fuel with air so that combustion can take place. By combusting (burning) the fuel, the engine converts the fuel's chemical energy to mechanical energy. This then transforms into motion. Since your carburettor is exposed to air and fuel, it is bound to get dirty from debris and impurities. An unclean carburettor isn't good news for your car. The following are some of the things that will tell you when you need to clean your carburettor:
The Engine Misfires
When the carburettor is dirty and clogged, the desired mixture of air and fuel cannot be achieved. This means that the fuel does not burn completely at times, forcing the cylinder in the engine to miss some strokes. This causes immediate power loss in the engine, jerking and noticeable change in the sound of the engine as it runs. If this happens, you should have the carburettor checked and cleaned to achieve the recommended fuel to air ratio during combustion.
The Engine Won't Start
A dirty carburettor can make your engine fail to start. It may crank and seem to turn over but it won't start. When there is dirt in the carburettor, the mixture of fuel can be blocked from travelling through to the engine. Therefore, the engine lacks the primary ingredients required to convert the chemical energy in the fuel. In such a case, you should call in a professional to clean the carburettor or replace it if the dirt has led to significant damage.
Wet Spark Plugs
Wet spark plugs are also an indicator of a dirty, clogged carburettor. Fuel moves through a needle valve into the carburettor where it is mixed with air. When there is dirt, it can interfere with the needle valve and prevent it from closing the carburettor's fuel inlet. In the end, the fuel runs constantly into the carburettor and floods it. It overflows to the vents on the bowl and the spark plugs, making them wet. Anytime you inspect your sparkplugs, look out for wetness, as it could be a sign that your carburettor needs to be cleaned.
For more information, contact an auto mechanic, including a specialist in diesel service.
