Trystan Casey
Adjusting the idle with an electric choke can be a tricky process, but it's essential to ensure your engine runs smoothly. An improperly adjusted electric choke can cause issues with idling during cold starts, as a cold engine requires a richer air-fuel mixture. To adjust the choke, you'll need to access the choke cap and idle screws, which can be challenging. The process involves loosening choke cap locking screws, rotating the choke cap, and adjusting the idle speed screw to achieve the desired RPM. With patience and careful adjustments, you can fine-tune your electric choke for optimal engine performance.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Choke Setting Adjustment | Loosen choke housing screws on the retainer, allowing the choke cap to rotate. |
| Choke Operation | Adjust by rotating the choke cap with a small screwdriver. |
| Choke Cap | Has a center pointer and index marks to guide adjustments. |
| Engine Temperature | Ensure the engine is completely cold before adjustments. |
| Throttle | Slightly crack open the throttle. |
| Fast Idle Screw | Increase or decrease idle speed by adjusting the fast idle screw with a 1/4" wrench. |
| Engine Vacuum Gauge | Use a vacuum gauge to tune curb idle mixture settings. |
| Electric Choke Wire | Remove the electric choke wire during adjustments. |
| Throttle Spring | Remove and re-attach the throttle spring to the correct position. |
| Engine Run Time | Run the engine for at least 30 seconds to check the fast idle speed. |
| Choke Idle Speed | Set the desired choke idle speed when the engine is cold. |
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What You'll Learn
Loosen choke housing screws
Loosen the choke housing screws on the retainer. The choke housing screws should be loosened just enough to allow the choke cap to rotate, but not enough for it to freewheel. Once the choke housing screws are loosened, slightly crack the throttle open, unload the fast idle cam, and turn the choke cap clockwise until the choke plate opens. Then, slowly rotate the choke cap in the opposite direction until the choke plate closes. After this, tighten the screws back up. At this point, you can start making adjustments to the choke.
Witness marks or register marks at the top of the choke housing can be used as a reference for making adjustments with more or less tension. Additionally, the choke idle can be adjusted by loosening the screws from the choke housing and then adjusting left or right, which will adjust how quickly the choke initially opens.
It is important to note that the fast idle cam and adjustment mechanism, along with the choke system, are only operational when the engine is cold. As the engine warms up, the choke bi-metal spring acts on the fast idle cam, reducing the RPMs to the normal curb idle speed. This means that adjustments to the fast idle speed should be made when the engine is cold.
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Adjusting the choke operation
To begin, loosen the choke housing screws on the retainer. The choke housing screws should be loosened just enough to allow the choke cap to rotate without freewheeling. Once the choke cap can rotate, slightly crack open the throttle, unload the fast idle cam, and turn the choke cap clockwise until the choke plate opens. Then, slowly rotate the choke cap in the opposite direction until the choke plate closes. At this point, the choke housing screws can be tightened again, providing a good starting point for further adjustments.
If the choke is opening too early and causing a difficult start, adjustments can be made by loosening the choke cap locking screws and rotating the choke cap. To address an early-opening choke, rotate the choke cap counter-clockwise one notch at a time until the choke functions optimally. Conversely, if the choke is opening too late, rotate the choke cap clockwise until the desired performance is achieved.
The fast idle cam and screw adjustment play a crucial role in controlling the engine's RPM during cold start-up. When starting a cold engine, pressing the accelerator pedal activates the fast idle cam, which raises the idle RPM during the warm-up phase. To fine-tune the fast idle speed, a small screwdriver can be used to adjust the screw that interacts with the bob weight. By turning the screw a quarter turn at a time, the fast idle speed can be increased or decreased. It is important to note that the electric choke wire should be disconnected during this process and reconnected once the desired setting is achieved.
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Setting the choke idle
To set the choke idle, start by allowing the engine to completely cool down. You can then begin to adjust the choke operation by rotating the choke cap. Loosen the choke housing screws on the retainer, being careful not to loosen them too much to prevent freewheeling. Slightly crack the throttle open and turn the choke cap clockwise until the choke plate opens. Then, slowly rotate it back until the choke plate just closes.
Next, adjust the fast idle speed. With the engine cold, open up the throttle and back off the fast idle speed screw until the throttle is shut, the choke is closed, and it is not catching the cam. You can then start the car and use a screwdriver to crank up the curb idle speed screw to your desired fast idle speed. Once you are satisfied, let the engine warm up with the choke fully open.
Finally, shut off the car, manually close the choke, and observe the relationship between the fast idle screw and the cam. You can then fine-tune the fast idle screw until it contacts the fast idle cam. Start the engine again, ensuring the choke is open, and adjust the curb idle speed screw to your desired curb idle speed.
Remember, the fast idle cam and adjustment mechanism are only operational when the engine is cold. As the engine warms up, the choke bi-metal spring acts on the fast idle cam to reduce the RPMs to your normal curb idle speed.
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Using a screwdriver
Firstly, it is important to allow the engine to cool down completely before making any adjustments. Then, the choke cap locking screws should be loosened, and the choke cap rotated counter-clockwise or clockwise, depending on the desired adjustment. This adjustment controls the choke operation and should be made carefully, ensuring that the choke cap does not rotate beyond the index marks to avoid damaging the internals of the electric choke unit.
The choke housing screws on the retainer can also be adjusted. Loosen them enough to rotate the choke cap without freewheeling, then slightly open the throttle and unload the fast idle cam. Rotate the choke cap clockwise until the choke plate opens, and then slowly rotate it back until the choke plate closes. After making these adjustments, the screws can be tightened, and further adjustments can be made based on the witness or reference marks on the choke housing.
The idle speed screw can be adjusted with a screwdriver to increase or decrease the idle RPM. With the engine off, turn the throttle to its side-wide open position to expose the fast idle set screw behind the choke housing. Turn the screw clockwise to increase the RPM or counter-clockwise to decrease it. Close the throttle, restart the engine, and check the RPM, making adjustments as needed until the engine idles well from a cold start.
Additionally, the high idle screw can be adjusted with a screwdriver. This screw is located on the passenger side of the carburetor, behind the electric choke assembly. Adjusting this screw will impact the low idle and may require some trial and error to get the desired results.
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Warming up the engine
Firstly, ensure the engine is completely cold before beginning any adjustments. This is important because the choke settings and fast idle mechanisms are specifically designed to function when the engine is cold. Adjustments made while the engine is warm may not yield accurate results.
With the engine cold, you can now start the car. If you have an assistant, they can turn the key while you make adjustments under the hood. As the engine starts, use a screwdriver to quickly crank up the curb idle speed screw to achieve your desired fast idle speed. You can then let the engine warm up gradually.
During this warm-up period, observe the choke. You want the choke to be fully open as the engine warms up. If the choke closes too soon, it can cause a difficult start. In this case, you will need to loosen the choke cap locking screws and adjust the choke cap by rotating it counter-clockwise in small increments until the choke functions optimally.
Once the engine has reached its operating temperature, the choke should be fully open. At this point, you can fine-tune the curb idle speed screw to your desired curb idle speed.
It's important to note that this process may take several attempts to get right. Each time you make adjustments, ensure the engine is completely cooled down before starting again. This will help ensure that the adjustments are accurate and that the choke and fast idle mechanisms are functioning correctly.
By following these steps, you can effectively warm up the engine and make the necessary adjustments to the idle with an electric choke.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric choke is a component of a carburettor that controls the air-fuel mixture when starting a cold engine.
You can adjust the choke operation by rotating the choke cap. There are centre pointer and index marks on the choke mounting and an index mark on the thermostatic choke cap.
First, allow the engine to cool down. Then, loosen the choke housing screws on the retainer. Next, crack the throttle open, unload the fast idle cam, and turn the choke cap clockwise until the choke plate opens. Finally, slowly rotate it back until the choke plate just closes.
Place a spring near the front top of the throttle linkage to force the throttle wide open. This makes the fast idle adjustment screw easy to reach. Then, use an open-end 1/4” wrench to adjust the screw. Move it towards the rear of the car to reduce the fast idle and towards the front to increase it.
The fast idle cam and screw adjustment control the engine rpm at cold start-up. It is designed to keep the engine idle speed around 1,500 rpm while the choke is engaged.
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