Adjusting the Keihin 26-30 DC carburetor (VW Passat B2)

Adjusting the starting clearance of the air damper

Pull the choke control handle all the way out; in this case, the air damper control lever should be at the stop.

Press the trigger rod all the way down.

Measure the starting gap of the air damper using a set of feeler gauges; it should be within 4.6±0.15 mm.

If the starting clearance of the air damper does not fit within the specified limits, achieve the required clearance by bending the adjusting fork on which the curved end of the starting device rod rests (see photo).

Adjusting the opening of the throttle valve of the 1st chamber at idle speed of a cold engine

Start and warm up the engine.

Attach the tachometer and remove the air filter.

Pull the choke control handle out fully.

Turn the control lever to completely close the air damper.



Measure the engine crankshaft speed, which should be within 4200±200 rpm.

If necessary, set the required engine mode by moving the throttle control levers of the 1st chamber.

Adjusting the opening of the throttle valve of the 2nd chamber

The position of the throttle valve of the 2nd chamber is adjusted at the manufacturer, but if the adjustment is disturbed, it can be restored as follows:

• remove carburetor;
• open the air damper fully;
• set the throttle valve of the 1st chamber to the idle position and fix it;
• unscrew the limit screw of the 2nd chamber throttle valve so that it moves away from the 2nd chamber throttle valve control lever. Then screw the limit screw in until it touches the lever, then screw the limit screw in another 3/4 turn;
• lock the limit screw with a drop of paint or a special compound;
• put the carburetor back in place;
• adjust engine idle speed.

Adjusting the accelerator pump

Remove the carburetor.

Place a measuring cup with a funnel under the carburetor.

Slowly open and close the throttle valve of the first chamber ten times, thereby activating the accelerator pump.


Measure the amount of fuel flowing into the measuring cup, which should be within 7.8±1.2 cm³, i.e. 0.78±0.12 cm³ per cycle.

If there is a deviation from the norm, achieve the required performance of the accelerator pump by changing the position of the pump drive lever stop.

Adjusting engine idle speed

Before adjusting the engine idle speed, perform the following operations:

• make sure the choke control handle is fully depressed;
• warm up the engine. To do this, let the engine run at a crankshaft speed of about 2000 rpm until the thermostat opens. In no case should you warm up the engine at idle, since if the engine runs for several minutes at idle, the measurements of the carbon monoxide content in the exhaust gases will be distorted;
• check the cleanliness of the air filter element and replace it with a new one if necessary (when adjusting the engine idle speed, do not remove the air filter);
• check the functionality of the ignition system and the ignition timing;
• check for air leaks, paying particular attention to the connection of the vacuum hoses and the condition of the throttle body gasket;
• make sure there are no significant exhaust gas leaks in the exhaust tract;
• make sure that powerful current consumers (electric fan of the engine cooling system, headlights, rear window heating element, etc.) turned off.

Using the mixture quantity adjusting screw (see photo), set the crankshaft speed within 700-800 rpm.

Precise adjustment of the carbon monoxide (CO) content in exhaust gases is performed only with the help of special equipment. If it is not available, it is permissible to regulate the CO content by acting as indicated below.

To adjust the CO content without a gas analyzer, perform the following operations:

• set the engine crankshaft speed within 700-800 rpm;
• remove the plug of the mixture quality (composition) adjusting screw (see photo) and, by turning it, achieve the maximum crankshaft speed at idle;
• using the mixture quantity adjusting screw, restore the crankshaft speed to 700-800 rpm. Repeat the above operations until the engine runs stably at idle speed;
• reduce the crankshaft speed by 50 rpm using the mixture quality (composition) adjusting screw;
• put a plug on the mixture quality (composition) adjustment screw.

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To adjust the CO content using a gas analyzer, perform the following operations:

• set the engine crankshaft speed within 700-800 rpm;
• remove the plug of the mixture quality (composition) adjustment screw and, by turning it, achieve a CO content in the exhaust gases within 0.5-1.5%;
• if necessary, restore the crankshaft speed to 700-800 rpm using the mixture quantity adjusting screw;
• repeat these operations until the specified values of crankshaft speed and CO content are obtained;
• after adjustment, replace the plug of the mixture quality (composition) adjustment screw.