I'm not very mechanical, so I'd really appreciate some help and advice. My 1979 Pinto has automatic transmission and the 2.3L engine. It idles fine when started, but when I drive it and do things like stop at a stop sign or slow down to turn corners and then push on the gas, the car dies unless I "feather" the gas pedal (tap on it just slightly and rapidly up and down). The "feathering" of the pedal keeps it from dying, and then while driving along, the car runs fine -- it doesn't choke, cough, or anything. It is only when I have to use the gas after a stop or when I've slowed down almost to a stop (like slowing to round a corner) that the car will die unless I do the feathering. Is this a carb problem -- or is it a partially blocked fuel line -- or something else. What should I do? Thanks, in advance, for your help. Jefferoni
You know its funny because I too have a similar problem with my Pinto, I literally have to put my foot all the way down on the pedal just to get it to go anywhere and at times it does turn off as I stop. You can always try some dry gas...but only if its been sitting in your driveway for a long time. I'm still trying to tinker with my Pinto and replace little things just to see if it gets any better.
Had the same problem, all it was trash, but only in the primary jet. Car would idle fine on the idle jet, but you had to put it on the floor to take off as the secondary jet was clean and would run enough to get home. Cleaned the jet and fixed it right up.
Sorry -- I guess I didn't explain myself very well. It isn't that I have to push the gas pedal to the floor, like what happened to you guys. Exactly the opposite -- I have to push lightly and quickly on the gas pedal so that it goes down only an inch or so to "feather" the gas pedal. If I don't do this, the car will die. It's almost like I'm pumping small dozes of gas to keep it going when I'm slowing down or taking off from a stop. Again, is it carb trouble, plugged fuel line, or something else? Anyone have any idea what I should check next? Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.
Sounds like the accelerator pump isn't working.
Could be a plugged/dirty area in the carb.
Doubt it is a plugged fuel line. You check / replace the filter ?
Another thing to check is the float. If it has a pin hole in it, it is hooped.
Re-build the carb (after a proper cleaning).
How did you clean the jet?
Er I mean...what did you clean the jet with?