LR
All faults
Fuel systemMedium severity

Series carburettor flooding, rich running or poor idle

Will get worse if left.

Symptoms

Smell of petrol, black smoke, fuel dripping from the carburettor, hunting or stalling at idle.

Likely cause

A worn needle valve, a holed float, a worn throttle spindle or incorrect mixture settings on the Solex or Zenith carburettor.

Suggested fixes

Listed roughly in the order most owners try them.

  1. 1

    Fit a carburettor service kit

    Renew the needle valve, gaskets and check the float for leaks. Set the float level to the manual.

    Difficulty:
    Moderate DIY
    Cost:
    £ (Under about £50 in parts)
  2. 2

    Re-bush the throttle spindle

    A worn spindle lets air in, which makes the idle impossible to set. Specialists can re-bush the body.

    Difficulty:
    Specialist job
    Cost:
    ££ (About £50 to £300)
  3. 3

    Fit a reconditioned carburettor

    An exchange carburettor solves several wear problems at once.

    Difficulty:
    Easy DIY
    Cost:
    ££ (About £50 to £300)

This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.

Related faults