engine wont idle

[threeonthetree]

Just picked up a 1985 chevy 4x4 with a basic 350 that has a carter on it and a 3 speed with granny low. truck ran flawless on the way home. it has a new motor with the papers to prove it.

last weekend my friends and i decided to see what the beast could do we drove it to the back fourty on the way we had to cross a ditch. the truck was bouncing pretty bad. as soon as we passed it the truck killed. i tryed to start it. pumped the pedal and it fired but would not idle.

if i give it any kind of throttle it runs like a champ but it wont idle? any ideas.

ive already replaced the fuel hose above the fuel pump and the fuel filter.

doesnt seem to be leaking anything.

truck also blew a brake line that i havent replaced yet could this be screwing with it.

[Karnage]

I was about to say "cold start" at the end of line one... But after reading the rest, I have no idea man. Are you low on gas? How about oil?

[juiceman650]

Is it carbed? My 350 would idle rough/die during idle because of a malfunctioning carburator.
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[motornut]

does it start with gas poured in the carb
i'd try running from a line from a gas can
you may have shakin up some dirt in the tank,plugged the filter
may even have cracked the line,can suck gas out.....did a steel brake line blow?
check there
try blowing air threw the line backwards,listen for bubbles,remove the cap before

[threeonthetree]

thanks for the responses i will check the lines from the tank to the truck. it is carbarated, truck has topped off oil and has great oil pressure. and has gas that was the first thing i did put gas in. i thought it was low didnt cure it.

another wierd thing is last night i was working on it and when your prime the motor(pump the pedal more than once almost fludding the engine) it will fire and idle but as soon as that gas is gone it will die.

but if your give it any kind of throttle it will countiune to run.

i have no idea wat happend

truck did start and idle perfect before we took it off road..

[Jonboy]

You could have a piece of dirt stuck in one of the needles also. You may have to pull the top off of the carb to check for that.

[threeonthetree]

worked on it again after work. look for holes in the lines from teh gas tank to the fuel pump. couldnt find any.

truck still starts and will run if i give it gas.
it will not idle though

Also the line between the carb and the fuel filter will build up pressure well the motor is running. because when i took the fuel line off it popped and was spraying fuel everywhere.(when i say spraying i mean Spraying!) could this mean that the carb is plugged up?

im thinking about buying a rebuild kit for this carter. its a afb 9635



any ideassss???

[makman1297]

Sounds like you could have clogged up the idle circuit. You could try to blow them out with some compressed air, first turn the idle screws in and count how many turns till they bottom out, then remove them completely and blow a little compressed in there and see if blows anything out. I had a similar problem with my edelbrock and this actually fixed it. Put the idle screws back in to where they were and try running it again. It is also possible you knocked something loose that has a vacuum line attached to it, so now its running too lean to idle, check all you vacuum lines and gaskets for leaks. Have fun.

[threeonthetree]

Originally Posted by makman1297

Sounds like you could have clogged up the idle circuit. You could try to blow them out with some compressed air, first turn the idle screws in and count how many turns till they bottom out, then remove them completely and blow a little compressed in there and see if blows anything out. I had a similar problem with my edelbrock and this actually fixed it. Put the idle screws back in to where they were and try running it again. It is also possible you knocked something loose that has a vacuum line attached to it, so now its running too lean to idle, check all you vacuum lines and gaskets for leaks. Have fun.

dragged the compresser over....



Things running like a champ now! Thanks alot! i was pulling my hair out.

[Your41Plague12]

Glad you got it fixed! I'll keep that in mind in case that ever happens on my Carter. We really do have an awesome forum.

[makman1297]

Don’t be surprised if it happens again, probably got some "crud" in the float bowl. I would get a new top gasket and pull the top off to clean out the bowl, should be able to do it without removing the carb. Glad its working for you.