Leaking carb- newbie

peterm22 · Post by **peterm22** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:54 pm

Hi to all,
I have only just discovered this site and already need your help. My wife has a BX16 RS 1989, she has had it since it was six months ond and it is in very good condition for its age and has only done about 50,000 miles. The car has been diagnosed with a leaking carb and the only replacement that I can locate is a Weber replacement (the original is a Solex). The guy at the carb the carb shop says it will bolt straight on and is designed as a replacement. My question to you guys is , has anybody any experience of doing this ? Will it just bolt on? is there anything that I need to be wary of when fitting? Thanks for your helpin advance. I'm glad to have found this site as it is getting increasingly difficult to find anyone who knows anything about BXs, I' sure that I'll be asking lots of stupid questions in the future.
Peter.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:12 pm

Welcome, cant help with your carb query though, hopefully someone will respond shortly....

Doz · Post by **Doz** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:22 pm

That's an expensive way to go ... how much is a new Weber carb? £300ish??

It is the bolt on solution and is bound to give you many years of trouble free motoring. Once it's bolted on , it will need setting up... most weber dealers will do this for you.

I hope that helps.

ellevie · Post by **ellevie** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:45 pm

Welcome Peter,

Who did the "leaking carb" diagnosis ? Can you elaborate on what was meant by leaking ?

Who and where is the carb shop you refer to ?

What are the symptoms and how long have you had the problem. ?

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:47 pm

I thought (car) carbs were one of the most reliable pieces on an engine! If it's been diagnosed as "leaking" you need to know where as it'll surely be just a cheap part/seal/gasket I would have thought.

I would say, certainly don't go buying another carb without knowing more about the problem.

peterm22 · Post by **peterm22** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:33 pm

The cost is £300 and the supplier is Southern Carbs in Wimbledon. I know it is expensive but after phoning six Citreon specialists (from this site) without success I was getting desparate. I know the garage well who did the diagnosis and have no reason not to trust him. Forgive me as carbs aren't my speciality but they said that it was wworn at the end of the throttle body 'this was a common faultwith the solex carb and is why weber made a conversion kit'. I live in North Shropshire, do you know of any BX experts in these parts? £300 is better than having to scrap the car. Thanks for your replies.

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:47 pm

I can do you a second-hand carb from a BX16. It is from a BX16 auto, but other than the kickdown cable attachment I can't imagine it's any different from a manual gearbox one.

Yours for the cost of postage. I don't know if it's a Solex or a Webber and it's dark and cold outside at the moment. I'll check in the morning.

peterm22 · Post by **peterm22** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:04 pm

Dave, thank you for your very kind offer. I have committed to buying the weber ( can't not have the car working). I let you know if we have problems. Many thanks again.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:10 pm

the webber is the easyer of the two BX 16/19 carbs to work on as the solex is a sod to take appart
regards malcolm

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:14 am

Years ago I had a 1986 BX19GT I replaced the solex carbie with a brand new Webber Carb wont tell you how much because it was one of those duplicate order deals at the old Citreon Dealership.

The differance in performance was well noticable and like has been siad the solexs are a sod to work on. My guess is that was why the guy at the carb shop said what he said.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:29 pm

Peter - my £5 is on a leaking needle valve. This is the valve that closes off the carburettor petrol inlet when the carburettor float chamber is filled up. The float chamber is the carburettor petrol reservoir which provides a constant supply of petrol for the jets according to the air flow set by the throttle flap (your right foot).

Its quite overkill to replace the carb on a "leaking carb" indication. I guess no mechanic have the knowledge anymore. They can and do think in one direction only : replace whats on the diagnostic computer display. No computer display ? - replace the thingy most likely being at fault. If customer still complains : replace next most likely component. If customer still ....