Running rich and stalling

[Handyman]

Tomorrow I plan to pull Everything away from carburetor and get a closer look at it. Funny thing just happened, did search for rebuilt carb and they want $100 more than I paid for the whole dang car. Can anyone but Jay Leno afford such a purchase for a Festy? Also found Kits from $22 to $40 ,who has the best kit? with lots of instructions On a count of I never actually ever took one apart before. If I find an obvious problem, would it be the Acme of ignorance to just fix that and forget about the rebuild?

One more thing; The fuel filter is a bit hard to reach with my "popeye arms" When I replaced it I found that it had no clamps. It doesn't look like it leaks but could it be sucking air and causing rich condition? Don't laugh. This is a real question from a large person. I really don't want to get in their if I don't have to, I am on surgical mend and that kind of stuff ain't easy.

[scottxd45]

It doesn't look like it leaks but could it be sucking air and causing rich condition?

I would think if the fuel lines were sucking air you would get less fuel than required so it would cause a lean miss condition.

[lasvegascop]

I would first start with the O2 sensor...they are cheap and easy to replace...

[zoe60]

Check closely for vacuum leaks. Replace 02 sensor, and if the carb has never been rebuilt it's probably a good idea. Check o2 sensor voltage with good high impedence voltmeter. Set to about .4 volts DC by adjusting idle mixture screw. Mine used to get 28 MPG. After doing all that I now get 40 and it runs tons better.

[WmWatt]

Have you tried spraying in some carb cleaner?

[Handyman]

Yes, I sprayed the carb on two occasions. I guess I'll have to dig deeper in my Haynes to find out what ZOE60 is talking about. I wouldn't want to ask now and bring the wrath of Monsoon down on my head. I am going to Advance tomorrow to get a carb kit, I'll check mine for number plates first because I understand there were many manufacturers of them.

I just read 12" tires are getting harder to find. Does any one know what other wheels will fit my Festy?:p

[MONSOON]

I'm not saying a word!

[erikandelman]

Check o2 sensor voltage with good high impedence voltmeter. Set to about .4 volts DC by adjusting idle mixture screw. Mine used to get 28 MPG. After doing all that I now get 40 and it runs tons better.

What do you mean by idle mixture screw?... I've got an idle adjustment screw, but it's just a throttle adjustment. I've also got a mixture screw that's factory set and plugged. Which do you mean?

Thanks,
Erik

[batstiva]

Yes, I sprayed the carb on two occasions. I guess I'll have to dig deeper in my Haynes to find out what ZOE60 is talking about. I wouldn't want to ask now and bring the wrath of Monsoon down on my head. I am going to Advance tomorrow to get a carb kit, I'll check mine for number plates first because I understand there were many manufacturers of them.

I just read 12" tires are getting harder to find. Does any one know what other wheels will fit my Festy?:p

I'll take this one MONSOON, here's a list of compatible wheels for the Festiva with stock suspension, and with the Aspire suspension swap.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90

Stock festivas are 110 mm. Search is your friend.

[Banana Bonanza]

Unless you have a photographic memory, get some kind of digital camera and take a picture of each and every step you make disconnecting all the black spaghetti. You wont regret the bit of extra time you spend doing this. The carb itself is not that hard to rebuild but getting all the spaghetti reconnected properly is royal pain without a very detailed guide and that sticker on underside of hood isnt that helpful. And by way ALL new/rebuilt feedback carbs for any car are high dollar. Just the way of the world. Its the reason everybody went to fuel injection, much easier to control for emissions reasons without going to extreme with all the little gizmos and spaghetti. Festiva was one of the last carb cars sold in USA.