Help. Flooding

[project14]

I have a 88 dodge diplomat with a 2bbl 5.2L 318 and just recently it started to act up on me. When I start it up it runs fine for about 2 min then it starts to run rough and fuel bubbles out of the carburetor and the motor floods. What would cause this and how would i fix it?
Thanks

[foureyedbuzzard]

Originally Posted by project14

I have a 88 dodge diplomat with a 2bbl 5.2L 318 and just recently it started to act up on me. When I start it up it runs fine for about 2 min then it starts to run rough and fuel bubbles out of the carburetor and the motor floods. What would cause this and how would i fix it?
Thanks

Sounds like the float is stuck open/down or the needle valve attached to same is not seating. The gas is filling the carb bowl but the float is not rising with it and/or the valve is not seating and shutting off the gas flow. I would suspect that the gas is probably coming out of the bowl vent tube. Try giving the carb a few gentle but sharp taps with a small hammer(BUT DON'T BREAK ANYTHING!) Sometimes you'll get lucky and the offending float/valve will unstick. This is probably a temporary fix at best. You could also put some carb cleaner in your fuel, I'm skeptical as to whether or not the stuff actually works but for a couple of bucks it won't do any damage. If all else fails you'll have to disassemble the carburetor and clean and/or repair it. Many times this can be done fairly easily by removing the top of the carb and replacing the float without doing a kitchen table rebuild - depends on the type/make carb. I'm not a pro mechanic, so I don't know your exact system.

Oops, forgot to ask, does the carb have electronic float control? My wife owned a Chevy Citation POS with one and I honestly don't know if something in those systems could cause the problem you're experiencing, I wouldn't think so, but...
Read more on electronic float control at: http://www.allpar.com/fix/fixcarb.html

[MagicRat]

^^good post^^
I might suggest rebuilding the carb using a kit AND get a new float. Usually new floats are sold seperatly. You must remove the carb, but you can clean up the insides and inspect/replace all the necessary pieces. It's usually the best way to permanently fix the problem.

[public]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

^^good post^^
I might suggest rebuilding the carb using a kit AND get a new float. Usually new floats are sold seperatly. You must remove the carb, but you can clean up the insides and inspect/replace all the necessary pieces. It's usually the best way to permanently fix the problem.

Ditto. There is no substitute for a good rebuild.

[RandomTask]

I just want to add: be careful on the rebuild, there are a LOT of tiny parts in the carb that are essential. Make sure you're working in a very clean and tidy area....

[foureyedbuzzard]

Originally Posted by RandomTask

I just want to add: be careful on the rebuild, there are a LOT of tiny parts in the carb that are essential. Make sure you're working in a very clean and tidy area....

Not only are the parts tiny, but at least half of the suckers are round (in at least two dimensions) and roll in ALL directions of the table - I hate that!