88 Corolla GTS (NO MODS) stalls, oil in throttle body... NOOB to Toyota

[Rhyno811]

Well I guess this being my first post, I would like to say Hey to everyone. I am not a noob to auto forums, but I am to Toyota. I did search my problem and found one very similar thread, but due to my lack of experience I was wondering if anyone could help me?

I just bought an 88 Corolla GTS (I always wanted one of these and I couldnt refuse the price. I bought it knowing the car wouldnt stay running. I thought a simple clean out of the intake would fix it (worked on other cars that i had). When I pulled the intake hose off I saw a small puddle of oil inside the throttlebody. Also, previously when I changed the spark plugs (this morning) I noticed oil on the plugs.
So the problem I am having is the car will not stay running unless im holding the throttle. When I'm driving the car it seems fine, but it will stall when i come to a stop or when im turning. I tried using the seafoam spray through the throttle body.. it blew out a lot of smoke as expected, but it did not fix the stalling.
Oh yeah and im getting a hissing sound from the timing cover area as well as pressure coming out of the oil dipstick tube.
What should i do next? what do i need to get? I would like to get this going by the AM. Thanks Everyone

[Zembonez]

It's an old car... repeat OLD car. It sounds like the rings are possibly gone. But... to be optimistic, the first place I would look would be the PCV valve... maybe you'll get lucky and it's just stuck.

[Rhyno811]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

It's an old car... repeat OLD car. It sounds like the rings are possibly gone. But... to be optimistic, the first place I would look would be the PCV valve... maybe you'll get lucky and it's just stuck.

from what i gathered the 88 corolla gts does not have a PCV valve.. ??? what is with the "old car" response? I'm not an 18 year old kid. I drove older cars then this.. being "old" doesnt have to mean that is the reason for its problems. kind of a dumb response no?

[Zembonez]

Originally Posted by Rhyno811

from what i gathered the 88 corolla gts does not have a PCV valve.. ??? what is with the "old car" response? I'm not an 18 year old kid. I drove older cars then this.. being "old" doesnt have to mean that is the reason for its problems. kind of a dumb response no?

Just checking your pulse there... don't get all worked up.

Excessive positive crankcase pressure is an indication of blowby or a clogged ventilation system. All engines use some sort of crankcase ventilation even if it is not a PCV. Whatever that particular engine is using may be clogged. The point of mentioning it's old is that things tend to gunk up and clog up over long periods of time.

[Rhyno811]

ok well im trying to figure out what i need to do in order to clean my pcv system. its an 88 corolla gts

[Zembonez]

If I remember correctly the intake manifold has a PCV chamber built in that is routed to the throttle body. The problem with this system is that the passageway in the cam cover can easily get clogged.

You have the 4A-GE right? It has been a while since I had experience with them.

[Rhyno811]

Yes its the 4A-GE. So should I just pull the cam cover clean it out and clean the hose running to the intake manifold? Or is there more to it?

[Zembonez]

Originally Posted by Rhyno811

Yes its the 4A-GE. So should I just pull the cam cover clean it out and clean the hose running to the intake manifold? Or is there more to it?

Well. It has been a really long time since I had one apart, but I believe that is correct. I wish somebody would chime in to confirm this. It wold not hurt to pull it and check to see if it is clogged up.

[Rhyno811]

well im just going to do that then. let me ask you one last thing.. when i reapply the gasket do i need to put RTV on the head then lay the gasket or is RTV not required?

[Zembonez]

Originally Posted by Rhyno811

well im just going to do that then. let me ask you one last thing.. when i reapply the gasket do i need to put RTV on the head then lay the gasket or is RTV not required?

I'd most certainly go with a new VC gasket and follow any instruction that comes with it.

Good luck man!

[Rhyno811]

Thanks