heated carbs

[monkey]

just read somwhere that someone on here has got manually switching electric carb heaters

does this give better mpg and does ne1 know how to do it?

would it fit on a 94 model carb and what is the difference in later model carbs

user is beeblejuice that has got them

[pilgrim]

You question is a little confusing, if I may say. Carburetors on early models were heated by circulating warm engine oil past the float chambers to avoid icing-up. It was models '97-on which had an additional electrical circuit added which heated the carbs instead of oil. It isn't a performance thing though. I can't see why you'd have both (belt and braces) but can't rule it out.

Beeblejuice can perhaps explain the set up if it exists on his D6........?

Over to you Beebs.

[CD]

The crab heater stops the engine from stalling at low throttle in cold damp weather. The electric version does not switch on in warmer weather. It's not like the warm air feed on car engines that's alledged to reduce power.

[monkey]

thanks for explaining that must be me getting confused again sorry

[beeblemaster]

Nah my manual switching is on my 95 model, which manually switches on the solonoid and then pumps oil round, not the electric heaters which were 96 onwards.

The reason we did this is because the carb heating system on the oil heated models comes in something ridiculously high like 20 degrees (can't remember exactly), whereas the electric heaters cut in at 6-7 degs which is more appropriate.

Our theory was that even on warm days the carb heater system is un-necessarily on and the heat they generate may evaporate the fuel before it's burned. So changed it to manually switching and only switch it on at winter time. I think it has improved MPG, as I was really struggling to get anymore than 130 miles to reserve. Now I seem to get 155-160, which still isn't great, when my '97 model did 180 consistently.

Hope this helps.

[CD]

My 900 can give carb icing symptoms in relatively warm but damp conditions. Probably around 10 to 15 degs, but I've not measured the temperature. Maybe it could do with a manual override switch for the heaters.