running rough and black smoke out the exhaust

[Rbyrd4017]

I have a 1985 Ford Ranger 4x4 with a 2.8 liter engine. it sat for several months and I changed the oil and spark plugs and plug wire and distributor cap and button. The exhaust is dark grey and smells rich in fuel and is running rough. I bought a carb rebuild kit will it do any good to rebuild the carb or is it something else.

 

[the_novice]

A rebuild never hurts. It gives a chance to get everything cleaned out. Ethanol gas really makes a mess when it sits. The first things I would check are the choke and the power valve. Check to make sure that the choke is opening all the way. If your power valve is leaking it will dump raw fuel into the engine. Also check the air cleaner for mouse nests. Hope this helps.
Taylor.

 

[martin]

Check also that the mixture control solenoid is not stuck , that's the electric thingy that's mounted on the back of the carb.

 

[Andy D]

Yah ,it is prolly a gunked up carb. I suggest reading the step by step instructions. If it is like the 2150 carb kit I got from NAPA, It will have directions for several different applications. Highlight your's so it is easy to refer to . Follow as it as best as you can. I used spray carb cleaner to blow it out because I don't have compressed air. I soaked the dirty parts in old gas to get the worst gunk off. 4$ for a gallon of diesel or fresh gas rather than 30 $ for a carbolic "dip" .Then I blew out the passages with carb cleaner. It does sound like a blown power valve, make sure you use the right one. Good luck. Please post back your results.

 

[black_demon69]

check floats in carb and i second the chemtrol dip...