[Daly87]

Hi guys!

Im new to this forum and also the off roading scene too! I got the bug from taking out the old mans '08 Patrol down the powerlines in WA then went out straight away and bought a Vitara. Not a bad little thing, 2" lift (monroe shocks and spring spacers i believe), some half decent AT tyres and a dual throat weber carb. was really impressed with its performance down at Brunswick Junction.

No i just wanted to ask a few questions... I wanted to get a snorkel but after research i realised i need an adapter kit such as... http://www.ebay.com/itm/WEBER-Remote-Ai ... 3f1a07800a

I just wonder is the weber really worth keeping over a standard carb? what are the benefits, its a 1.6 8v so the performance increase cant be that high, i don't encounter a problem with choking on inclines or declines that some people seem to say.

Also I have tried searching but cant get any answers that im happy with, can somebody give me a basic explanation on how to 'feel' if the carb is tuned correctly ? it seems to idle a little high to me around the 1000-1500 mark (but i have no experience with weber carbs). Only stutters on a cold start, and stutters setting off from cold, then after its right on the button and seems to drive smoothly. I will say it seems to drink petrol, about 280k to a full tank, around 45 dollars worth.... but again, no weber or even normal carb experience to compare.


Annnnnd one more question, iv just noticed there is no engine management light when the ignition is turned... i assume there should be one showing before starting the car... could this have been disabled for some reason? weber carb maybe? how can I search for it or turn it on? There seems no sign of trouble with the car, drives and goes up a rock very nicely just curious as to what some experienced guys would think of all this and if you would do some troubleshooting with the car for peace of mind.

Cheers for your input guys!

[luke3411]

Welcome to the forum. The fuel consumption isn't that big of an issue by the sounds of it. I have a standard g16a vitara and I get 300ish kays out of it on a long drive.
There an Awesome car.

[Daly87]

Thanks for the confirmation on that! just trying to cross of some things so i know what to fix, investigate or ignore!

[VonDecoy]

I've got a later model Vit. But If I see anything I can help with I'll pipe up.

Oh, and Welcome.

[Jester]

i get 380-400 km out of my tank for a 8v carby vit (but its a fresh engine, i rebuilt it only 20k ago, plus ive carefully tuned the carb on a 4 gas at work) though my choke doesn't work too well so cold mornings my idle is round 600 but smooth but once warm i idle around 800, there will be no engine management light cos there is no computer

on your fuel economy, what size tyres are you running? is your speedo and odo correct? cos mine has been corrected for my 30's.

but top little beast gets over looked easy by the 'big boys' til you embarass them

[Scrawny]

I get 350-370kms out of mine. 280 is a bit dismal to me, but probably on par for a weber carby.

As Jester mentioned, there is no ecu (computer) onboard so no diagnostics and no engine light on the dash.

[krat]

There are heaps of factors that directly effect your fuel economy, including tyre size, gearing, air filter, driving habits etc, so the poor fuel economy may not be a carby problem.
I ran a dual throat webber on a Nissan 720 for years and got better performance than the standard carb with better economy as well.
The trick was to change the jet size to one that suits your requirements i.e. bigger for performance and smaller for economy.
Changing the main jets was a simple screw in and screw out process.
The cost of the jets will of course limit your choices. Maybe a carb shop could trial a few for you before you buy.
What model Webber do you have? I think I still have some spare jets in the shed, but the Nissan is well gone.

Kev.

[Daly87]

Thanks guys! seems the vit idles a little high then, this could cause the fuel consumption to be a little higher too i guess. I am currently trying to gather information on tuning the carb myself, any had experience with? can you do it by ear or is it purely a diagnostic thing?

tyres are 235/75 r15.

Jester, my speedo is incorrect i beleive, i *think* it is 10kmh out, so I travel around 90k in 100 for example.... this would mean the odo is out too (didnt even cross my mind to relate the two)!! Could look into recalibrating that then.

Yea it deffo gets over looked! At Brunswick a couple asked to tag along with me and the old man as they were on their own, and had a little laugh and a joke about myn not being a 4wd "your going in that little tin can?" no more than 30mins later i was sat at the top of trail watching as they were using the winch to drag their brand new Prado up haha zook 1 - prado 0

Hey Krat,
Iv read about this jet changing but iv been inspecting the carby and have no idea where it would say the model number?

thanks again guys, new to all this. keen to learn though as I want to do as many fixes my self.... bit rewarding isnt it!!

[luke3411]

Jester wrote:

i get 380-400 km out of my tank for a 8v carby vit (but its a fresh engine, i rebuilt it only 20k ago, plus ive carefully tuned the carb on a 4 gas at work) though my choke doesn't work too well so cold mornings my idle is round 600 but smooth but once warm i idle around 800, there will be no engine management light cos there is no computer

on your fuel economy, what size tyres are you running? is your speedo and odo correct? cos mine has been corrected for my 30's.

but top little beast gets over looked easy by the 'big boys' til you embarass them

Damn maybe it's time for a rebuild for me. Sounds like it would end up saving me a heap in petrol!!

[Daly87]

Yea id say the same, but apparently i bought the car with a rebuild this is what i was told had been done:

engine was rebuilt at 195,000 km`s with new pistons, rings, gaskets, timing belt, new dual throat weber carby ect
power steering had a complete overhaul with machining of walls new seals and bearings does not leak!
new front cv`s
new 2" suspension lift kit installed
aircon has just had a regas
new master cylinder
brand new front brakes and new rear shoes
extractors
new cat back exhaust
just had major service with all oils changed
15" allterrains good tread
volt meter
new gear shift bush and boot

unsure of the legitimacy of these claims but it does drive smoothly... sadly i'm not experienced enough to know for sure or not.... I like to give him the benefit of the doubt as he was a mechanic at a mazda dealership so i guess it would be too much trouble for him having the tools at hand and the know how.