Signs of a Gummed Carburetor

A carburetor is a mechanical device found on small gas engines and larger car gas engines that were manufactured before the advent of fuel-injection systems. The carburetor delivers fuel from the gas tank and mixes the proper air-fuel mixture for starting the combustion engine. The fuel is delivered into the carburetor through ports via fuel lines and is delivered as the throttle is increased. A gummed up carburetor can lead to a number of problems. There are signs the carburetor may be gummed up and that it needs to be taken apart for cleaning.

Starting

Difficulty starting the engine or keeping the engine running once it has started are chief signs that the carburetor may require attention. For example, the engine may crank but not fully turn over or start. Another sign is if the engine starts but dies the second you attempt to give it gas after putting it into gear.

Idle

A rough idle is another sign that the carburetor may be in need of attention. The idle is the resting speed of the engine without acceleration. A carburetor can run either too high or too low. A high idle sounds like the accelerator is being pressed when it actually is not. The engine revs per minute (RPMs) may even rise on the tachometer of the vehicle. A low idle is just that. The engine runs so low that it sounds like it will, or actually does, sputter and stall out.

RPMs

RPMs are measured by the tachometer. If the carburetor has problems making the transition from idle to low RPMs, it could be a sign that the carburetor is clogged. This is evident if the vehicle has trouble accelerating from low speeds. The vehicle may lurch, or the RPMs may increase while there is a feeling of play in the accelerator as you press it.

Gas Smell or Signs of Leakage

If there is an extreme gasoline smell or if gasoline can be seen flowing from the carburetor ports, it is a sign that there are carburetor problems. Furthermore, no gasoline flowing into the carburetor is a sign that a fuel line is clogged.