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MG MGB Technical - Washers down the carb?

When I looked under the bonnet today i noticed that the air filter on my weber downdraft was cracked with about a one inch gap in it. So I took the top of the air cleaner off and noticed that the air cleaner was only being held in by 1 of the 4 bolts. One bolt was in the tray and I found the other two bolts, one hanging in each cylinder of the carb below the choke plates and above the butterfly plates. As for the 3 washers I have no idea where they went(out the side or down the carb).

The carb has been acting odd. Not wanting to close the throttle all the way. And the alternator just gave up.

What should I do?

thanks
Jason
Jason Smith

Jason, I would remove the carburetor and check if the washers are inside or under it. If you don't find them try finding a magned with a flexible shaft and run it up the intake manifold runners. The other alternative is to remove the manifold. It's best to be sure, a washer in the valve can make a nasty and expensive mess. Good luck.

Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Jason, check the archives about the GM Saturn alternator. It is nearly bolt on, and had greater output.

dave
Dave Braun

Wonder if Dave posted in the wrong thread.

Anyway, yea I had that happen to me too with the weber dgv. Lucky for me I checked before anything happened and tightened them down. I have a different carb on them now so its not a problem anymore.
James

No, James, Jason also mentioned in his original post that his alternator has packed up.
Derek Nicholson

Thanks for the advice.
I tried a magnet on a flexible shaft. First with the carb off and then with the manifold half off(the bolts are bent inwards so it will not come off all the way). I did not find anything.

Any more ideas?
thanks
jason
Jason

If the washers are not in the inlet tract and your engine is not broken (bent valve etc.) the washers must have gone elsewhere than into the intake.
By some miracle they may even be rattling around in your muffler!
I would still pull off the mnifold and check inside the intake ports. An ounce of prevention and all that!

The alternator problem will just be a coincidence.

Rich
Rich McKIe

This thread was discussed between 05/03/2007 and 09/03/2007

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