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Sat Dec 06, 2014 10:13 am

The choke plate on my left carb ('74 stock dual Solex) is stuck in the open position, completely vertical. I assume it is not supposed to be that way, correct? Any insight appreciated.

Sat Dec 06, 2014 11:09 am

Jim Bear wrote: I assume it is not supposed to be that way, correct? .
Not if the engine is cold and you've stepped on the gas pedal once.

Is this a recent development?

Sat Dec 06, 2014 11:58 am

The last time I looked. I could not find the choke heating coils for the dual carbs.
If you do need to replace it. You may be able to remove the bi-metal spring from another one and install it in your housing.
Years ago I could not find the choke for the right carb. So I bought one for the left carb, pulled the spring out and flipped it around. It worked fine.
Good Luck
Tcash

Sat Dec 06, 2014 1:25 pm

Jim Bear wrote: The choke plate on my left carb ('74 stock dual Solex) is stuck in the open position, completely vertical. I assume it is not supposed to be that way, correct? Any insight appreciated.

If it is stuck in the open position with the engine cold, after you step on the gas once you might want to check the following.

1) wiggle it to see if it is free to move. Sometimes carbon and varnish make them stick

2) Mark the choke position with a marker so you can put it back. There are three small screws that hold a retainer on. Remove the screws, put a rag or something under them to catch them if you drop one. They can be a PITA to find if you drop one. Remove the choke and look at the spring inside. Is the tang there or has it broken off?

3) If the part is good, put it back but rotate it until the choke barely closes cold.

Here are some other possible scenarios depending on how long you have owner the bus.

A) The electric heater in it is burned out. The PO turned it to open because when the heater burns out you have the opposite problem - the unit never opens.

B) The key was left on for awhile before you checked it and it warmed up and opened.

Sat Dec 06, 2014 1:29 pm

Tcash wrote: The last time I looked. I could not find the choke heating coils for the dual carbs.
If you do need to replace it. You may be able to remove the bi-metal spring from another one and install it in your housing.
Years ago I could not find the choke for the right carb. So I bought one for the left carb, pulled the spring out and flipped it around. It worked fine.
Good Luck
Tcash

I don't have a dual to compare it to but are these what you are after? The wording is somewhat confusing because it says for Dual CB solex but wont't fit stock solex then it says fits dual solex. Might have to call CB to see what the measurements are.

http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=3292l

Also - I don't have one and haven't worked with one in a long time, however from the fiche it looks like 021-129-191B and 021-129-192B are the numbers for the PSDIT 2 and 3 chokes both sides. I found those several places for sale NOS. Maybe someone can confirm those numbers.

Sat Dec 06, 2014 2:18 pm

SGKent wrote: Tcash wrote: The last time I looked. I could not find the choke heating coils for the solex dual carbs, they are smaller in diameter.

If you do need to replace it. You may be able to remove the bi-metal spring from another carb and install it in your choke housing.

Years ago I could not find the choke for the right solex dual carb. So I bought one for the left solex dual carb, pulled the spring out and flipped it around. It worked fine.

Good Luck
Tcash

I don't have a dual to compare it to but are these what you are after? The wording is somewhat confusing because it says for Dual CB solex but wont't fit stock solex then it says fits dual solex. Might have to call CB to see what the measurements are.

Edits in red, make more sense.
Thank you for the link SGKent.
Tcash

Mon Dec 08, 2014 10:00 am

SGKent wrote: Jim Bear wrote: The choke plate on my left carb ('74 stock dual Solex) is stuck in the open position, completely vertical. I assume it is not supposed to be that way, correct? Any insight appreciated.

If it is stuck in the open position with the engine cold, after you step on the gas once you might want to check the following.

1) wiggle it to see if it is free to move. Sometimes carbon and varnish make them stick

The plate is stuck in the open vertical position and will not move freely.

As far as this being a recent development, I never took notice. What would be a symptom of this problem, the stuck open choke plate? It was running fairly well prior to being taken off the road for a few months to get the beetle going. Now, I am experiencing lack of power and poor acceleration.

Mon Dec 08, 2014 11:02 am

Ok, I just did some reading and a stuck open plate does not seem like it would affect my warm and running performance, correct?

Mon Dec 08, 2014 12:30 pm

The choke being stuck open would affect the the starting and warm up, but not the performance once warm. You should be able to spray choke cleaner around the choke butterfly and linkage followed by some oil and get the choke to free up if everything is in pretty normal conditions. If someone has lost or broken parts and otherwise messed with it all bets are off as to what it will take to make it work.

Your running problem is likely our present alcohol laced fuel. It does not age well when left sitting in the tank and carb for long. You might try adding some FI cleaner to your fuel tank and see if that fixes things. If the carb evaporated all the way dry, you may need to open the carb and use a toothpick (no metal please) to break the crud in the jets loose, this crap often dissolves very slowly even when FI cleaner is added.

Mon Dec 08, 2014 12:39 pm

Hold the throttle open a little (1/3 etc) and see it if still stuck.

Mon Dec 08, 2014 2:11 pm

SGKent wrote: Hold the throttle open a little (1/3 etc) and see it if still stuck.
X2
Quote: Ok, I just did some reading and a stuck open plate does not seem like it would affect my warm and running performance, correct?
Correct