Birdibus wrote:So, are the carbs exonerated?
the oil sump is empty because I drained it last night. The oil sat in an open pan all night, and the gas seems to have evaporated. Should I reuse it?
Birdibus, we have to be focused on our diagnostic progression. The most important indication of The Fuel Issue was the dipstick line. It was almost an inch and a half above the mark when I checked it as I was diagnosing. After our oil change with the oil you had at hand, it was approximately 1/2 quart low.
If the oil level remained the same after driving it, you DO NOT HAVE current fuel contamination occuring in the oil, but you sure as heck have residual fuel all inside the crankcase that is contributing to the fuel smell in your recently drained oil. Did you check the dipstick mark before you drained the oil? I told you that I was going to try to drain the galleries when I did that 8:15PM oil change where I cranked the engine with the oil filter off. But I said that it would take a good 100 miles to clear out the exhaust system and I suggested another oil change (it is never a waste to do a flush oil change)
at that time.
It is a good idea to clean the pump dry with GumOut so you can see if there is a fuel leak at the hose connections versus the fuel pump diaphragm, by all means continue with that pursuit.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles