Why won't my Citroen GSA run properly? Carb woes?

We didn't expect this! My GSA has been undergoing some paintwork at ‪@WhitelandRestorations‬ but decided she liked it there. We had to tinker with the carburettor to get her working again.
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[@nekite1]

"Sedimentary, my dear Watson" - had a chuckle at that one!

[@chrisskelhorn5727]

Me "Why wouldn't my car start?" Mechanic "Crap in the carburettor!" Me "Ah. How often do I have to do that then?" 😲

[@Richard-Bullock]

That's an oldie, but a goodie!

[@MrOvershoot]

The comment by Leanne "Oh Ian" with the state of the breather made me laugh. I had a very blocked breather on a 1985 Fiat Uno 55 that caused the dip stick to blow out on the motorway. I thought it's not raining so why are there droplets on the back window!! Sorted the breather and steam cleaned the car, it then proceeded to rot as there was no oil mist protecting the thin Italian steel.

[@Oldsmobile69]

Because of your videos, I'm extremely interested in buying a GSA. None of your other cars exactly "do it for me" but the GSA is just supreme.

[@jfv65]

totaly agree. best car in the fleet.

[@HubNut]

It drives amazingly now! I'd certainly recommend one, if you can stop it rotting.

[@426baron]

F'taghn Citroën !

[@winandd8649]

I do agree, I'm starting to like the GSA a lot after having watched the HubNut videos :-)

[@danielrussell446]

One of the best cars Citroen ever made that and the CX

[@s_class7027]

All of this happened to my one over thirty years ago. Good times. Wish she was still here. Most lovable car I've ever owned and one of the best cars ever made.

[@robinvanags912]

I feel the same about mine. Citroens like the GSA provide such special engineering and design (at 'ordinary car' prices).

[@danielrussell446]

Love the gs and gsa and the cx last of the real Citroens

[@frothe42]

She's going to need a thorough going over and proper maintenance! Louis and LeAnn did an excellent job with the bodywork and paint!

[@ianmontgomery7534]

yes - replace all the fuel lines after checking the tank.

[@frothe42]

@@crispindry2815 Nope. Subscribed for quite a few years!

[@patrickw6934]

8:34: Reminds me of my pipe smoking days and cleaning the bowl out! What a lot of lovely help! 👍

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

When Lewis put his Lotus Hoodie on I bet he never expected to live up to its meaning...... Anyhow making me hungry looking at what looks like black pudding! Glad you have got Giselle back up and running and well done to Lewis and Leanne for helping you get the old girl fixed.

[@ttxela]

Great to see it painted up. Used to ride around in one of these years ago 👍

[@tonys1636]

I think a complete flush of the fuel system including the tank and replacement of all flexible piping is needed with e10 safe pipes including the filler neck one(s) and any sender unit/pick up gaskets, they're obviously breaking down somewhere from the e10 that had been put in occasionally. I don't think the crankcase breathing system had ever been cleaned or serviced in its life. Good luck. Fitting an inline bowl filter between the pump and the tank will catch any future crud, must be easily accesible and visible.

[@27degrees]

There is an inline filter at the tank end. Probably never replaced.

[@jonathandeeley6276]

Having worked at a Citroen franchise back in the 70s and 80s carb contamination was a regular maintenance issue on both GS and GSA models and regular cleaning necessary.

[@davidflamee]

Phew, had me going there for a while. A bit of an armchair thriller moment. Well done @Whiteland Restorations on the body work, tinkering, and cups of tea in this video. Great to see the GSA back in fine fettle.

[@paultaylor9652]

Please look after that beautiful paintwork Mr HubNut, they made a lovely job of your Citroën.

[@nickhaag7803]

I had a similar problem with a CX20. The engine was old and breathing a bit heavily due to lack of oil changes before I had it or just old age. The dirty oil vapours condensed in the ancient breather pipe and tiny black bits would regularly break off and block the jets in the Weber carb. I got very adept at popping them out at the roadside, blowing them clear, refitting and all was well for a while.

[@DimitarStanev]

2:02 I love how the rpm gauge goes beyond the 0 and rebounds

[@HainjeDAF]

Great seeing you all work together. Kudos to Lewis and Leanne. Hope you get Giselle sorted out.

[@paulbennell3313]

"I'm gonna call that less than ideal." Insightful as always!

[@timbre7999]

Impressive blockage there, my goodness! The Whiteland Restoration couple are just lovely with how they help out. Victory cup of tea indeed.

[@Pfirtzer]

I can relate to Giselle doesn't want to leave, she get top care and attention, sitting in a shed with Oltcit and all the rundown cars way below her league. Well I quiet understand it, because French. Never underestimate French snobism.Excellent content, love it! ❤❤

[@PedroConejo1939]

I had a GSA estate many years ago. Just watching you in there takes me back. It was a Special but I swapped the interior for a Pallas I found in a scrappers. Best car I ever owned for reliability and pure fun.

[@WhitelandRestorations]

Bloody hell I thought my full English felt a bit less full. Black pudding attack on the GSA! Always happy to help 😊

[@vitorpassos309]

Good to see it running better again :D

[@nutski01]

The black sludge in the air intake filter is semi solid oil which has dried up over time, had it a lot on the reliant supervan i learned to drive in, the plastic bit you found is a static bearing used quite a bit on carbs for rod links to prevent wear and the risk of sparks near petrol systems, nice to see the gsa back and looking so good too.

[@dunkhoughton175]

I’m a Ford man through n through but l love the quirky things about this gs it’s awesome

[@gareththompson538]

Good that it is sorted but I'm surprised that nobody had picked up on that before

[@Poppy323F]

Celebration brew time is always best 👐 Great to see the GSA happy again!

[@daniellee9015]

Brilliant video Ian 👍 nice to see her back did E10 cause all that clog

[@HubNut]

Thanks. Pretty sure that's not E10 related.

[@stephenshippam9374]

Hi Ian, nice to see her back again

[@johnboy384]

Its also a great channel, thank you for sharing it with us.

[@greenzero3389]

Sorry about your carb woes, but this was a really interesting video 👍

[@dorsetoctaviaman]

7:38 As Lewis takes that tube and chamber apart, it reminds me so much of an Italian espresso 'bubble and gurgle' coffee-maker my late parents had. It was such a lovely job (not) emptying out its compacted coffee grounds; looked just like that! Maybe Giselle thought she was on the Med. having a crafty doppio espresso, cheeky lass. But it's so nice to see her looking beautiful again.

[@brenglover72]

Not just lack of oil changes - the breather system generally needs an annual clean - more often if the engine is tired...

[@-sargntclashroyaleandmore-491]

These hydropenumatic citroens are always so cool... I have a sweet spot for a citroen C6 like up n' down has at the moment!

[@att61y]

Had similar happen with a Bluebird; turned out the flexible fuel hose had degraded inside, and was depositing tiny black bits into the carb, blocking jets and the needle valve intermittently. Took me a while to find the problem as the hose looked fine and was still very pliable

[@niallsommerville9941]

A metallic woven pan scrubber will do the job as an oil mist condensing mesh, just make sure it's metal (usually copper based) and not the silver / aluminium coloured plastic ones. Nice to see her back in action and looking good. Thank you.

[@johnf5817]

"After a certain amount of far too long" - love it!

[@micheltebraake7915]

There is always something about old cars, I speak from my own experience. Fortunately, you now had extra help to solve the problem with Giselle.

[@Redgolf2]

Loves Mrs Hubs new hair, it really suits her 😍

[@Rockythefishman]

Because Hubnut ! Love this channel

[@robertmackenzie5850]

This has been caused by irregular oil changes , in my 40 years of experience. A car of that age probably needs an oil change every 6 k

[@EliteRock]

I love this car. When I was a kid (early-mid 70's) my dad had an Alfa Giulia Super 1600, my best mate's dad had the then-new GS, we were constantly one-upping each other as to which was the best car (the Giulia, absolutely, obviously, no question - LoL) but I was really quite admiring of the GS. ETA >> if on the off-chance she was burning any oil, fixing the breather might stop it.

[@andyarmstrong1493]

What a find!

[@tony-yp6qk]

another great video has always Ian and miss hubnut and hublets and hubmutts

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I know I make the same comment every time - but…….that dashboard is incredible!

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

The bodywork is beautiful. That gunk in the float bowls is from the fuel line so I would change the fuel filter right away. Lucas makes a wonderful carb and fuel injector cleaner that you pour in the gas tank. I use it all the time. You fill up the tank and pour it in. That breather definitely needed changing. Rebuild the carb and definitely change the fuel filter and you should be all right. Enjoy that wonderful car that doesn't exist this side of the pond.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Adorable little Topolino in the background there!

[@grahamcockerill2406]

The gsa is very rare here in Australia, not one for sale at all unfortunately. Yours has come up a treat after the repair.

[@socialghost4400]

that dashboard is super cool!!

[@caw25sha]

This reminds me of when I used to clean my aunt's fish pond pump for her.

[@rolandlivings391]

Thanks Ian Not a video to watch while having a meal, Yuksville !glad Giselle is back on the road, Beautiful car.

[@MarkGelderland]

My GSA Break was white, gotta say your Berline, in shiny black, looks stunning.

[@Phiyedough]

If it can get through an MoT with that breather setup bypassed I would leave it off but it might affect the emissions readings.

[@antw3565]

Paintwork looks amazing. Now, about those wheels...

[@waynetetley584]

Glad you fixed Giselle. Good flat 4 air-cooled soundtrack as always 👍😊

[@razorsz195]

I really want an old car like this as a cheap to run (famous last words) thing to potter about in from work and back..so many options, expensive options..other wise its a 3 cylinder Daewoo matiz!

[@jamesprince4991]

A Peugeot 205 is an ideal starting point.

[@razorsz195]

@@jamesprince4991 that is one of my considerations, always wanted a base spec one, no faf, as basic as it comes and just look after it but not some showstopper, i would love a triumph dolomite sprint, i HAVE to have one..

[@jamesprince4991]

@@razorsz195 amusingly my driveway is home to a 205 and a Dolomite. Would recommend both.

[@razorsz195]

@@jamesprince4991 i'm jealouss..add an 88 300ZXT and i'm sold!

[@gotham61]

@ 1.55 that dashboard is truly mental.

[@Badgertronix]

the joys of modern classics. All part of the fun!

[@pyroplim6967]

Ian check that banjo on the carb on the fuel line they sometimes have a thimble type filter in them .

[@HubNut]

We did. Entirely clear.

[@OdykKayne]

Poor Giselle, yay for maintenance to get her back to top spec again! Re: future content....can we get a drive review of that little FIAT Topolino when it's finished!!!??? :D Love those little things! ^_^

[@OldSonyMan]

"my two penneth" The breather pipe is not critical to the workings of an internal combustion engine (older cars didn't always have em) it is an 'emmisions lowering device' it works by preventing the oil/air mixture inside the engine from 'venting to the outside' and instead redirects it to the 'fuel/air mixture produced by the carburettor and hence 'Burning away the problem'. The wire/mesh device which was so clogged up is technically called a 'flame trap' presumably to prevent a backfire progressing backwards to the crankcase ! However the failure in the breather pipe caused a mechanical/fuel starvation problem, which collectively you dealt with. Nice one !

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Agreed. It was a fuss about nothing.

[@keithbradfield7825]

Love the GSA

[@PaddyWV]

Fiat Topolino!! 😍 My Grandmother had one (after her Austin 7) that, I think, got her hooked on Fiats.

[@linseyyoung1772]

So shiny!

[@brentboswell1294]

Funny, this video pops up as I'm having carburetor woes with my Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine... just returned from the local small machine shop with a brand new carburetor for my 18 year old mower 😅. They don't sell the rebuild kits anymore...

[@Toby_the_Glen]

Can't wait for the Lotus!

[@andrewcottrill3248]

That's the first time I've ever seen a piece of Black Pudding used as a filter...

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Lovely job 🚘🚙🚗👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

that foreign object looks like a notice board pin!

[@anakinskywalker4113]

Wow Ian that’s horrific! how on earth was that engine even running with that much muck on the breather pipe.

[@Richard-Bullock]

I am stunned that the engine even started with that much crud in the breather.

[@SB-vb8ch]

You need rag for the rag trick! Normally accompanied by some throttle stabs on the way back down!

[@richardhaywoodh]

On the ROVER V8 the crank case breather was called a flame trap, it had the wire mesh inside and some cleaned them out with paraffin or petrol rather than replacing, I presume the mesh was not only designed to filter but to prevent ignition of the fumes until they were actually reached the carb intake?

[@JakobKsGarage]

I like the "Monkey Skull" shape of the old Weber carbs, when the lid is off 🙈

[@MGBetts1]

Looking forward to a bit of not-very-HubNut Lotus Elan! 👍🏻

[@inarithegermanshepherd2555]

i saw tpa at confuzzled this year the invicar

[@fredscratchet1355]

Nice Volvo at the back!

[@andrewgurney6019]

Hubnut been Hubnut, my word how on earth did that car run at all, treat her well Mr H, she is an old girl and deserves the best.

[@HowardLeVert]

Watching this video, I decided I love (a) the GSA dash, (b) what appears to be a Topolino and finally (c) High Speed Dog :)

[@johncallaghan4616]

Sedimentary, my dear Watson - that, and the Innuendo in the Chemmy engine-in - you should consider a Jonathan Pie style World Tour !

[@GuyChapman]

I once connected the fuel feed and return the wrong way round on a BX, thanks to Haynes. That was boring.

[@delukxy]

Looks like the rest of the paint got a good buffing too. An excellent idea. Does the breather go through the filter to the atmosphere?

[@jonathanhopper2000]

Back through the air filter, carb into the engine .

[@mr_nice.]

Might wanna check that idle solenoid and change it's seal. If that dirt bits got in the bowl, they might have affected the idle tubing inside the carb, hope you gave it a good blow out, but unscrewing the solenoid and blowing some more wouldn't hurt either. Had a problem with that idle tubing in mine the other day, just powering it on and off solved the issue, but little bits of grime that get in there have a huge effect on the internals of the carb. That's why a second fuel filter just before the carb inlet is imperative. I see you don't have that. Better put one, you won't regret it.

[@FrankJCarver]

There looks like what appears to be an electro-magnetic fuel cut-off valve attached to the side of the carb. I would check that out.

[@HubNut]

Yes, it's a fuel cut off on the overrun I believe. They can be problematic, but wouldn't cause the symptoms we had.

[@albinklein7680]

Most carb problems turn out to be ignition woes. Always think about that before digging into a carburettor. And fit a catch can. Edit: Great car!

[@ferrumignis]

Apart from when they are carb problems!

[@andrewskinner5860]

Slacken the 12 volt idle valve and if it runs thers a blockage somewhere good luck iain

[@user-wt8pw9eb8d]

Do u have a vid of u setting the points on distributor of your gs?

[@Motorroller-b3l]

Hallo Hub Mit, dein Auto sieht blendend aus. Liebe Grüße von Hamburg nach Wales.

[@onecookieboy]

I wonder how it was running before it went into the panel and paint shop?, that sort of thing doesn't happen overnight.

[@HubNut]

I've had fuelling issues for a while and hadn't managed to find the problem. This isn't new.

[@PurityVendetta]

What a lovely workshop! French cars are wonderful things. Their normal is the territory of concept cars in the sense of british offerings.

[@bentullett6068]

Being a lawnmower mechanic I can confirm E10 fuel is causing havoc with many engines fitted with carburettors if no fuel stabilizer is used or use of the lower content E5 super unleaded is used. Many people have mentioned that their mower engines were running ok the previous week then all of a sudden the following week they call us up saying that the engines cut out or won't start at all. The shelf life period of E10 fuel when fuel it is purchased from a garage forecourt in a Jerry can is around 30 days if untreated and 90 days for E5 if untreated.

[@bobwalker8907]

That filter is full of Gauloises.

[@philhealey449]

Time for a traditional Redex purge event maybe ? It may not do much good, but the voluminous comedy clouds of white smoke are always entertaining.

[@pdwcave]

Don't some crank case breathers have charcoal filters?

[@quarterlight]

Have you ever considered fitting a rear wiper. Great video as always by the way.

[@HubNut]

I have one to fit, but the aerodynamics are so good it really isn't necessary.

[@MrButtonpresser]

@@HubNut "Isn't necessary" - Blasphemy! 🤣

[@robinwells8879]

Didn’t up n down have very similar issues? Fuel pipe and tank detritus?

[@macpablo1169]

Pretty grim looking coffee grounds there.

[@bsimpson6204]

On the outside it looks fairly normal, then you lift the bonnet! 😲

[@OldCarsNewVan]

89k 👍👍 well done

[@stevewilliams5428]

Just put a catch can on the breather hose and plug the hole into the airbox.

[@franco992]

That’s the set up on my Alfasud. Cheap and simple to do. Keeps things cleaner on the intake side. Not great environmentally, but then it’s not exactly a daily driver!

[@2tone209]

AY UP MR HUBNUT