Problems with 87 Toyota Truck

[NJ87Yota]

Hello everyone!

About 4 or 5 months ago I picked up a '87 Toyota Pick Up in really great shape. The truck was with its 2nd owner and had 85,xxx on the clock. Here are the important vitals. It's a 2WD, 4-Speed, 4 cyl. (I believe 22R). I believe the transmission had not been rebuilt but the clutch was recently replaced.

I apologize if the post gets long but here is my situation:

Truck has been pretty solid since I've had it. Last night on my way home from Home Depot I had a few problems. I had been driving the truck around all day without a hint of anything out of the ordinary. I was on the parkway cruising at 65 MPH and still was fine. I got off at my exit and this is when things began acting funny. The best way to describe it is shaking/hesitation through the lower RPM range of each gear. It pretty much like this the rest of the way home. Being that it was late and dark, I had no ambition to troubleshoot when I got home.

The fuel pump has had a slight noticeable leak for the past few weeks and I assumed a fuel delivery problem might be the source. On my way home from work I picked up a new fuel pump. I installed the new pump and took it for a test drive. Same thing. Just a bit less severe. I'm pretty certain now that fuel is not the problem. The motor idles and revs just as smooth as the day I picked the truck up.

The shaking/hesitation is only simulated with a load on the motor in the lower RPM. I could use any bit of help to better troubleshoot and fix this problem. I am pretty well mechanically inclined but this is my first Toyota. I thought I'd come to the experts first.

Here are a few facts that may help eliminate some of the obvious:
tires are fairly new and balanced
u-joints and driveshaft seem ok
front end is tight
shocks and springs are in good shape

Could it be the rear? Clutch? Tranny?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ron

[redfox435cat]

a few thing to check
since the fuel pump did lessen the problem I wouldn't rule out fuel
check the fuel filter, put a bottle of carb cleaner though the motor
cluch is obviously good. look at the motor mounts.
this solved the same problem on my vw jetta
tripple check all vacume hoses
I know this is bare basic but a place to start.

[reb]

I agree about the vacuum lines. They can cause all kinds of problems. Not so sure about the fuel filter--seems it would act up at high speed before it would at low speed. It has to deliver more fuel at high speed.

You have an external fuel pump, so you must have a carburetor. The troubleshooting section of my shop manual suggests the carburetor might have problems--float level too low (don't know how that could happen all of a sudden. You can check it through the sight glass), accelerator pump faulty, power valve faulty, choke problems. These are mentioned as causes of engine hesitation, poor acceleration. It has been 10 years or more since I had one of those apart--I don't remember what type of float it has. Some floats fail to float as they get older. That would cause it to flood at low speed.

Good luck. Let us know what you find.

reb

[NJ87Yota]

Thanks for the input guys. I drove the Trans Am to work again today so I will do some more troubleshooting when I get home. I'll definately let you know how I make out.

Ron

[D'mon]

I'd be very critical of the fuel filter. I had an 87 with the 22r (my only new vehicle). I had the same symptoms once, turned out to be bad gas. Clogged the filter, even got somethru and got into the float bowl. Used it as an excuse to rebuild the carb.

Good luck.
D'mon

[signu]

I have a friend who had the same problem with his 87 toyota pickup and he picked up a rebuild kit for the carbuerator and cleaned/ rebuilt the carb, which took about 3 hrs, and the problem disappeared.

[NJ87Yota]

I haven't been driving my truck much and I haven't had the time to continue troubleshooting. I did manage to pick up a Haynes Repair Manual and plan on tackling the carb cleaning/rebuild first chance I get.

I drove the truck to work today. Filled the tank up with supper. Problem is still there. Worse at times more so than others.

One more question I do have is, where the hell is the fuel filter??? I've follwed the lines from tank to pump. Pump to Carb. And I can't seem to find anything.

The manual is no help due to it's broad range in years. "The fuel filter is located under the vehicle, near the gas tank or in the engine compartment." Gee. Thanks for the help. There is a picture in the manual that shows a white filter in what appears to be in the engine compartment, mounted on the inner fender. Unless I'm completely blind, mine isn't there.

Once again, any help would be appreciated. Pictures would be great too.
I'll even allow you to include captions such as:

Moron. Filter is here ---->

Do we need to come change it for you too?

Know where your dipstick is?

Thanks again
Ron

[soadslipknot]

The Fuel Filter on an 87 is on the frame, just in front of the rear passenger tire.

[justin22]

it may be in behind a cross member, and use a dealer filter don't hack the line to make another one fit