Engine dying when coming to a stop

[edgar44]

My Model A motor has been running flawlessly for over 9 months and then suddenly last week it started to die every time I came to a stop... And now it even dies when idling. The only way to keep it running is to play with the throttle while stopping. What is my problem? Dirty gas? The photo shows some sediment in the bottom...

[goodoldvic]

The carburetor may be dirty check the websites on the A homepage for this problem you are experiencing. Also search this problem as it has been discussed many times. It's all good reading, and educational.

[Big hammer]

Dirty filters/screens, clogged gas cap vent ?

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Edgar,

FWIW: Not the very best more expensive solution, but in trying to assist:

1. Those flakes from your 80+ year old tank I have seen very often before .. not at all good ..... they plug up your shut off valve and carburetor and are a life safety hazard if your Model A engine kills on today's highways with today's drivers ..... if so ...... just be prepared to be rear-ended by a car traveling at minimum 55 mph.

2. Quickest fix is to:

A. First remove shut-off valve, clean it, and properly install the cylindrical vertical in-tank screen filter sold for above the shut-of valve.

B. Second, clean glass bowl and correctly install a NAPA 3036 paper filter in bowl to
collect "fine" particles of sand and rust which clogs your jets.

C. Third, thoroughly clean carburetor and reinstall.

3. Expect tank to slowly continue to rust over the next 80 years, but you can stop the current fuel starvation as such for many years. Adding MMO can oil you tank like a light coat of oil on a shotgun to help prevent rust ... 4 ounces to 10 gallons.

4. Under "Search" there are so many helpful opinions from others, but this is mine in short form in as few words as possible.

5. If fuel is clean and engine still stalls, go to Plan B, not written herein.

[WKaufman]

While your cleaning the fuel system be sure to check the float level

[H. L. Chauvin]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Many Thanks to Mr. WKaufman ....... that would have been a good recommendation for starting off with Part B.

Sounds like you may have a round bottom Zenith carburetor; notorious for killing "idling" engines at stops ........... but not killing faster rpm engines at stops.

Ford's recommended Zenith carburetor float level setting is too high & not great for slow idling engines ... Mr. Rex Reheis's in Mr. Gordon's book for float lower level is far superior for Zenith A and early B carburetors.

[1929]

Originally Posted by edgar44

My Model A motor has been running flawlessly for over 9 months and then suddenly last week it started to die every time I came to a stop... And now it even dies when idling. The only way to keep it running is to play with the throttle while stopping. What is my problem? Dirty gas? The photo shows some sediment in the bottom...

I had the exact same problem, until I removed my Nappa 3036, dumped out the sediment caught in the filter, and drove home with no more problems.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Good point in #7 ...... just like with a residential air conditioner air filter .... when it get stopped up and the air conditioner ceases to function ...... remove dirty air conditioning filter to allow air passage ...... for Model A's .... don't forget to install a new 3036 fuel filter very soon or immediately ..... or face the same deep doo-doo Model A blockage and/or fuel shortage experiences.

[Richard in Anaheim CA]

All good responses BUT before getting down to work on the carburetor. open the GAV mixture 1/4 turn when in stop and go traffic.

Often, that is all that is necessary

Richard
Anaheim CA

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by 1929

I had the exact same problem, until I removed my Nappa 3036, dumped out the sediment caught in the filter, and drove home with no more problems.

You should carry a fresh filter on board along with a cork bowl gasket. Never reuse a clogged filter

[1929]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

You should carry a fresh filter on board along with a cork bowl gasket. Never reuse a clogged filter

I not only changed the filter and bought an extra, I took the tank out, cleaned it, etched and sealed it. By the way, you can get the Nappa 3036 direct from Nappa for $5.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Edgar,

In trying to further assist, thought of something else that "may" or "may not" help if your tank has accumulated rust etc. at the tank's bottom:

An answer to one (1) question may help for everyone with Model A's to decide what would be a further recommendation for your gas tank?

Question: Approximately how many miles of driving did it take to accumulate the rust shown in your sediment bowl?

For example, if one accumulates this much rust in about say 100 miles, (or even within a year), it can never hurt, and depending on your particular fuel tank, it may be a good idea, (prior to installing the in-tank filter), to use about (2) gallons of fuel as a flushing agent as follows:

1. Close shut-off valve.

2. Disconnect gas line at carburetor and position gas line to flow into a tube or hose which leads to a white cotton sock or other similar filter at the lower end prior to dumping fuel into a bucket or fuel container.

3. Close shut-off valve; then pour about (2) gallons of fuel in tank, open shut-off valve, and allow fuel to flow into bucket down below and "see" if the sock trapped any sand, silt, fine rust, large rust flakes, pieces of old former fuel tank sealer dissolved with new ethanol fuel, etc., etc.

4. Pour this same "filtered" (2) gallons back in your tank, shake car at front bumper, and side to side, and repeat Steps 3. & 4. until you feel comfortable that with this simple method, you have removed as much deleterious material from your tank as possible.

Hope this helps.

[JOHN CT]

how about a drip leg. If somebody has a picture thay can send one

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Add the "PENCIL" filter, in the top of your fuel valve, they're a GODSEND!
Bill W.

[Dollar Bill]

Photo of dirty leg courtesy of fordgarge.com

[SSsssteamer]

Originally Posted by Richard in Anaheim CA

All good responses BUT before getting down to work on the carburetor. open the GAV mixture 1/4 turn when in stop and go traffic.

Often, that is all that is necessary

Richard
Anaheim CA

Ditto..... Works for me too.

[jax55]

Need a little clarification. I am looking at the NAPA web site for the "3036" filter and what comes up is a metal inline filter not a paper filter.
Incorrect part number or did Napa use that number for a different filter now?

[1929]

Originally Posted by jax55

Need a little clarification. I am looking at the NAPA web site for the "3036" filter and what comes up is a metal inline filter not a paper filter.
Incorrect part number or did Napa use that number for a different filter now?

Iam looking at the box now, it Nappa 3039 gold filter

[1929]

Jax, if you have a local Nappa, they can order it.

[jax55]

Thanks 1929. I do have a local Napa and the correct part number should help.
I will get a 3039, instead of the 3036 originally posted.