Webber v Solex carb.......

Kevin B · Post by **Kevin B** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:05 pm

I have the opportunity of aquiring a factory fit Webber carb (from a 1.9 Automatic BX).
I am wondering would this offer any significant advantage over the more common Solex carb in terms of economy etc.

The Webber carb is an unknown quantity as its from a scrap yard car (but its low milage and the whole car is very clean, but its got bad rust in all the usual places), otherwise the car is showing evidence of careful ownership, ie recent HT leads and cap, plus a thick wad of service history.

Also as it is from an automatic car would the jet sizes differ significantly from the equivilant item on a manual transmission equivilant.

The vehicle I intend to fit this carb onto is a BX 4x4 estate, the Solex carb is OK, but I feel it could be better, in terms of economy (yes I know the 4x4 is normally a thirsty car). in addition the Solex carb is presently fitted with a manual choke conversion.

If theres any interest in the Auto box, I may be able to get this as well.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:09 pm

Calling Brian....

Post by **Tim Leech** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:14 pm

Where abouts is the car, any pics?

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:09 pm

I bought a new Weber a few months ago to replace the Solex that was fitted to my Athena. The Solex was giving hot start problems, and the car wasn't the most economical beast either, and as it was going to cost me almost 2/3 of the cost of a brand new Weber to get the Solex overhauled, I decided to embark on an ad-venturi. (See that? That was a joke that was .............. )

The most marked difference was the improvement in engine response - 'snappy' best describes it, and acceleration is noticeably more lively. The cold start problem's also fixed.

The main benefit, however, has been the improved fuel economy. I'm not one of those nerds that writes down every tank of petrol bight and the mileage at the time - I tend to go by the seat of my pants/wallet. Fitting the Weber took me from buying a tank and a half a month to buying just the one tank ......... a saving of around £25.

This, of course, is just my own experience of fitting a Weber, but my time in the garage trade taught me that customers invariably came back with smiles when I fitted a Weber conversion to their cars. Provided they're jetted right for your engine, they really are a first class piece of kit.

Kevin B · Post by **Kevin B** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:23 pm

No pictures unfortunately, the car is in a scrapyard I frequent. Rest assured its only parts material, as it had serious rust issues.

I have already got a load of parts off it, and am going back next week for the ABS rear swinging arms, rear struts, ABS driveshafts.

Seriously though if anyone wants the autobox then let me know and I will get a price from the scrapyard, and if the price is acceptable I would take it off for a few beer tokens. The milage was 99K, and from the look of the remaining ATF (they drain all the fluids) it was nice and clean.

electrokid · Post by **electrokid** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:46 pm

Calling Brian....

Oooo yes please

If you're not having it Kevin I'd certainly like to take a look. Jetting might be slightly different between Auto and 4x4 (I'd have to look it up) but not by much and the jets should still be available.

Advise that you grab the manifold as well of course - and there's a vacuum device as well that is a Weber carb add-on - but that should be attached to the manifold anyway - it's called a vacuum idle....... thingy

What year is the scrapper Kevin ? Re-jetting could depend on whether it's a DRTC or a DRTM. Worth going through it with a recon kit to make sure it's 100%.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:57 pm

one reason for fitting the WEBBER is it by far easyer to work on,

i cant remember if the jetting differs much between the manual and auto's

regards malcolm

electrokid · Post by **electrokid** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:08 pm

one reason for fitting the WEBBER is it by far easyer to work on,

I'd fit one so I wouldn't have to work on it again Malcolm

citsncycles · Post by **citsncycles** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:15 pm

I can't speak for the BX's, but my GS has a Weber, and definately seems to run better all round than a local Solex equipped GS that is otherwise near identical mechanically. I believe that the Weber is generally regarded as the better option for these cars.

electrokid · Post by **electrokid** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:28 pm

it's called a vacuum idle....... thingy

No it's not

it's called 'Idle Vacuum Unit' Citroen part number 1408 A5.

According to my BX workshop manual (which I think is a year or two short of including the Weber DRTM) the following Webers were fitted to th 1.9 D2A engine...

standard - 34DRTC 12/100 W 144/50 (1)
+ aircon - 34DRTC 13/100 W 146/50 (2)
autobox - 34DRTC 14/100 W 147/50 (3)
+aircon & autobox 34DRTC W148/50 (4)

All the numbering system is a bit of a con - jetting for (1) and (2) is identical. Jetting for (3) is also exactly the same as (4) !

In fact the only difference between the two pairs appears to be (1) and (2) have idle jet setting of 52 + or - 10 compared to (3) and (4) which has a setting of 47 + or - 10, and the 2nd choke of 1&2 has a ventilation jet whereas 3&4 doesn't have one listed - but that may be a typo.

Basically - you're not going to notice the difference

except the 'idle jet' is used most of the time - round the town - all 'slight' throttle openings. The 'Main' jet is what you're using when you are ragging it

The Idle Vacuum Unit has an electrical spade connection on top - this is my guess as to why...

The IVU has a lever which links to the throttle linkage - I think it introduces additional vacuum into the inlet manifold just after carburation on tickover only. I think the electrical connection should be linked to the aircon - so that when aircon is operated the additional; vacuum is defeated raising engine power slightly at idle to cope with the additional load of the aircon pump etc.

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:33 pm

Linegeist wrote:The main benefit, however, has been the improved fuel economy. I'm not one of those nerds that writes down every tank of petrol bight and the mileage at the time - I tend to go by the seat of my pants/wallet.

Oh cheers bro you calling me a nerd then

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 6:59 am

<Gulp!>

It wasn't me guv'. A big boy wrote it - and ran away!

Kevin B · Post by **Kevin B** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:25 am

Advise that you grab the manifold as well of course - and there's a vacuum device as well that is a Weber carb add-on - but that should be attached to the manifold anyway - it's called a vacuum idle....... thingy

Thanks for the heads up, it seems I will be getting that as well

.

What year is the scrapper Kevin ? Re-jetting could depend on whether it's a DRTC or a DRTM. Worth going through it with a recon kit to make sure it's 100%.

The car in question is on a 'H' plate.

electrokid · Post by **electrokid** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:13 am

The car in question is on a 'H' plate.

That'll be a Weber DRTC 14/100 then - veeeeeery nice

Try Southern Carburettors for a recon kit or failing that - a bag of 'essential' bits.

http://www.sciperformance.co.uk/

electrokid · Post by **electrokid** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 12:14 am

Well the good news is I've finally found / bid / won a Weber DRTC on fleabay

it's a Peugeot spec - 8/100 so will need re-jetting but that's not a problem.

It'll probably work better if I can fit the Idle Vacuum Unit so if anyone has one spare - little widget with 2 vacuum pipe connections plus a lever and a spade terminal on the top - then beer tokens waiting