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MGB 73 sat for 6 months

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jsomersdc10

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When I start the car now i get a rough idle. Have to leave choke about half way out and idle at about 1000 RPM to keep it running. Put new plugs in with old plugs in 1 and 2 looking black. I have spark to all the plugs. At idle, I pulled spark plug wires one at a time. idle slowed on 3 and 4 but no change when 1 or 2 pulled. Engine runs real rough if any gas added. I added some gas heat fluid to remove any possible water in fuel line. Actually took a sample of the gas prior to the carbs but did not see any water. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Somertime
 
is it old gas? and especially regular gas? this is quite typical of cars that have been sitting and a fresh tank usually solves it. ethanol can gum things up as well.
 
Ethanol gas will mess up carb passages in as little as a couple months, depending on humidity. Front carb has likely been gummed up. Both need to be gone through thoroughly. And use a gas stabilizer if the car is going to be static for any length of time.
 
FWIW I was given this by my mechanic a couple years ago - transformed the car.

Seafoam might work also though I have never used it

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Seafoam works great in 15 min of running. Todays gas is terrible sitting is terrible some say park with full tank only or empty gas additive always. change filter or clean. There a lot of post where guys park a car for years and think it will just start and drive away. Not in todays world. Moist air temp changes summer winter. In Reno Nevada I open a vent to garage car stays above 50 Deg. year round. Madflyer
 
Thanks for the info. Using a gas stabilizer and know I need to drive it more. I think the front carb is probably gummed up. Will check out the Mopar and Seafoam.
 
Heat is alcohol just adds more water especially in ethanol induced fuel. Methonal bad for rub er. Worked in winter to spark the alcohol and melt water.
 
My cars are laid up almost 4 months every winter. I throw in some fuel stabilizer in January and sometimes some Drygas. Cars have never failed to start and run fine when started in May.
 
I started using the Marine stabilizer, as I use it in the boat. It is better on the ethanol as outboards don't tolerate as well.
 
Hey guys, thanks for the help. Cleaned out the front carb and for good luck tapped the float bowl several times. She started right up, running smooth. Probably going use Seafoam as my gas additive. Thanks agin and stay safe.

Somertime
 
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