stalling / running hot... choke?

[svb]

So here are the issues I'm currently having.

The car was idling extremely low and dying any time I came to a stop. It would drive just fine for miles as long as I didn't stop, although I did notice my mileage recently dropped from getting consistently 19-21 mpg to all of a sudden now about 15mpg.

When it stalls, it refuses to start back up again and it seems like the choke is not being activated. Manually activating the choke will get the car to start again.

We adjusted the idle to get it closer to 800-900 revs and now the car will idle properly, but sometimes still dies as soon as I try to start in first gear from a stop (or even just rev it up in neutral).

It also starts running WAY hot if I get into the slightest amount of traffic; not overheating, but much hotter than where it normally would stay, even in traffic.

Any thoughts as to what is going on?

[So Cal Mark]

stalling at idle with a carb could be a problem with the idle cutoff solenoid or a gummed up idle circuit.
Hot running in traffic indicates a cooling fan that isn't working

[svb]

OK, so we were able to (more or less) fix the stalling issue by playing with the mixture and idle. Seems like it was running lean for some reason and the choke may or may not have been functioning correctly. It is much better now but does occasionally still stall at traffic lights. At least now, it will fire back up again (whereas before it wouldn't).

W/ regard to the overheating, it seems like you're right that it's a fan issue. What is baffling me now is that the fan does seem to come on some of the time. Not sure why it works sometimes and not others. I'll be driving and the car will start to get too hot. If I pull over, turn the car off and back on a couple minutes later, sometimes the fan will then start right up.

I'm thinking I should start by replacing the rad cap and maybe the thermostat; anything else I should be looking at?

[svb]

nevermind, I'm going to burp the system first, dunno why I forgot that step

[bobplyler]

If it started suddenly stopping/stalling, you may want to check for a vacuum leak. If you had to really richen the idle mixture, that's a definite indication.

[bulldog4444]

I think Mark is on the right track with the idle cutoff solenoid being plugged or gummed up. Unscrew it to find the jet on the end. Pull it off, inspect it to see if the small hole at the end is clear and spray some carb cleaner in the hole to clean it out. That is the most common "runs but won't idle issue I've encountered".

As for overheating, the temperature switch at the bottom of the radiator is a good suspect for intermittent failure. I've had them stick on where the fan won't shut off without a rap with a wrench or turn on without a rap with a wrench. There is also the "damn thing is just broke"! I would change that first (you can jump the connection to be sure the fan is good, careful because there is a healthy spark when you do) and always have a spare in the trunk.

One of the best upgrades I have performed this season is installing what I call my "Starbucks switch". I read in another forum about using relays to splice in a manual override switch to the dashboard. When I pull into my favorite Starbucks for my evening coffee and ride in the country, I flip the switch on and just enjoy my wait in line without worry. Work just perfect for traffic jams too. If anyone would like the written instructions I could post them but I cannot for the life of me remember where I found the instructions and who to give credit to.

Good luck,
Bulldog

[So Cal Mark]

if your fan is intermittent, I'd check the fuse for a loose fit or corrosion.

[courtenay]

Spider Jim posted a wiring diagram for the so-called "starbucks switch". Do a search on his posts and you will find it.

[dfuehrer]

The car was idling extremely low and dying any time I came to a stop. It would drive just fine for miles as long as I didn't stop, although I did notice my mileage recently dropped from getting consistently 19-21 mpg to all of a sudden now about 15mpg.

My Spider has been having these symptoms, and more. Does your car seem to have a flat spot when first starting out from a traffic light, then a sudden surge? Does it seem to have a miss when you are running at higher RPMs you can see on the tachometer while the engine is warming up fully?

Perhaps my problems are not the same as yours, but I am at a loss as to where to begin... Dirty carb (or worse), vacuum leak, fuel delivery issue, timing??

[majicwrench]

Like was said above, the idle/low speed jet is a cronic issue. Clean it.
Keith