I noticed something weird about my Car's Idling..

[Alexx]

My Subaru seemed to be running rougher lately (81DL wagon) so I opened the hood and noticed that if I put downward pressure on the air filter housing the car suddenly seemed to run better.

 

I also discovered there was a minor amount of side to side play with the air filter housing (because I am missing a sidemount bolt) and I was able to find a sweet spot.

 

Anyone have an idea what is going on? I'm pretty certain the rebuilt carburetor is securely bolted down.

[hooziewhatsit]

sounds like a vacuum of some sort somewhere.

 

I think I'd try to get that sidemount bolt and see if it helps.

 

you can also spray carb cleaner or similar sparingly in places. If the idle changes, there's a leak there and needs to be fixed.

 

good luck

[calebz]

Possibly a leaky carb gasket.

 

The 'spray it down with carb cleaner until you find the leak' is a good one. Do that and report back.

[dragonwingsubaru]

almost sounds like the 82 i used to have on mine it was the carb bolts had worked loose. try tightening them up and see if it helps

[snowstormer]

i would check all the phillips screws that hold the top of the carb onto the main body of the carb also. i had these work loose on a car i had once. turned out the whole carb was kinda falling apart right on top of the motor. tightened them all up and was as good as new...

[Qman]

My guess is that it is a Carter/Weber and the base bolts are/have loosened up. If this is true, you have to remove it and tighten them from the bottom.