Carter Yf...black Smoke, Can't Adjust Mixture,leaks Fuel & Runs Terrible...

These were the symptoms. I read every thread on here and on another forum regarding Carter carbs. I studied the manuals. This thread is just to save someone else with these symptoms a lot of time.
My '62 CJ5, with the 134F, was smoking, running extremely rough at idle (and at speed), and leaking gas only when not running from the bottom of the carb. The only thing that made it run just a bit better was to turn the mixture screw in all the way to the bottom!
First, start with an overhaul kit or just replace the accelerator pump. I had been told by the previous owner that the carb had been overhauled not long ago....don't assume anything when it comes to these carbs.
I was told to adjust the metering rod and the float level more times than I can count and nothing worked. I was told it had a vacuum leak but I couldn't find one. I checked and double checked the timing. I even went through the PCV system several times. I ran a compression test. In all, I removed the carb six times over the last two weeks. Finally, I ordered and installed a carb kit. As it turns out, the accelerator pump was cracked allowing the fuel in the bowl to be drawn into the carb throat by the vacuum, making it run extremely rich.
Moral of the story....after a quick, easy check of the float level, metering rod adjustment and tightening of the carb attaching bolts, INSTALL A NEW CARB KIT! This may be assumed as common knowledge here but no one mentioned it to me. Of course I thought it had a recent carb overhaul.
The Carter YF is not a complicated carb. There is no "magic" to making it purr like a kitten. When trouble starts, if you don't know FOR SURE whether the carb has been overhauled....do that first. It's really simple to do. Don't buy an generic kit. There are vendors on this board that sell the correct parts for our old Jeeps.
Oh, one more thing....I was told that a characteristic of these old jeeps was the pah, pa, da, pah, pa, da sound coming from the exhaust. Mine no longer has that particular characteristic! It runs like the proverbial sewing machine!
Enjoy your wonderful old Willys Jeep! This forum rocks!!!!

 

Mine had the same symptoms, I got a kit from Daytona Parts, also their Daytona float valve which is different. Has a flat rubber end instead of conical. Talk to Tim. He is very helpful. I tested the fuel pressure which was over 6PSI. Bought a small fuel pressure regulator and set pressure to 3psi. Installed a fuel filter between the tank and the fuel pump. Removed and cleaned the fuel tank. Problem solved. Every time there was an episode, I removed the top of the carburetor and there would be dirt/crud in the bottom of the float bowl. I think clean fuel at the proper pressure is pretty important. Good luck. It took me a couple of weeks of frustration but it can be solved.

 

When they are right its a pleasure,good job on the rebuild.

 

Good advice, and thanks for the feedback.

 

Yes, I actually ordered a new Solex and then returned it after I got the YF running so well. Actually never opened the box on the Solex.

 

I rebuilt mine about a month and a half ago for the same symptoms. It ran fine the few times that drove it. Started it several times too. Tried starting it yesterday and it was back to flooding and leaking from the bottom. Very frustrated.

 

My accelerator pump looked fine. The needle/seat were sticking. Mine seemed fine after rebuild. May take carb back off and take it apart again.