1988 corolla sr5 coupe, 4A-F won't start. Please help?

[SuaveFresh]

Hello. New to this forum.

Run into a snag, hoping someone here can help.

I have a 1988 toyota corolla sr5 coupe, 4A-F. (4A-F is the only corolla of 88 that has a carburetor instead of fuel injection.)

It has been sitting in the same place, and gone uncranked and undriven, in about a year and a half. (Needs a new tierod and rack assembly, and a few other things like tires and transmission seal, and maybe the head gasket is bad. Dunno. Pockets were empty until recently, so couldn't repair.)

I have money nowe, but not enough for a new car. Want to fix this one. Will get a mechanic to do the larger and most difficult work, but I want to do what I am able to figure out how to do myself, as I am on a restrictive budget.

Here goes:
Car wouldn't start. Engine turned over, but weakly. Changed out the battery. Engine turned overm strongly, but car wouldn't start, wouldn't even try. Put two gallons of gas in tank. No good. Put small amount of gas in carburetor. Car started like a champ, but died in less than 5 seconds. Repeated twice with same results. With filter on, with filter off, same results. Sprayed carb cleaner on visible bits of assembly, soaked for 4 minutes, sprayed a little more to remove loose gunk as per directions, tried to start car again. No good. Once again put gas in carburetor, same result:car started, but died in less than 5 seconds.

Of course, I am thinking that I am not gettting fuel to the carburetor.

Well, consulted the free auto repair manual on autozone site for my car. It is a little unclear to me whether or not I should drain the gas tank prior to removing the fuel pump for testing.

So, my question is,do I need to remove the gas from the tank before I remove the fuel pump?

I am not a complete novice with auto mechanics, I have replaced batteries, starters, belts, changed oil, flushed engines and radiators, and even had to service the brakes on this particular vehicle. years ago. (Kind of proud of myself for that one, as I managed to do it without a manual.)

If I screw up this car, it doesn't really matter, I got my money out of it years ago. I would like to get it running again though.


Thanks,
Mary



It's not a personality description, it's the shampoo I use.

[freakinbox]

well by the sounds of it you aren't getting fuel to the carb, as you said. Since you proved it has compression, spark, air and so on when it started! check all the lines and that the pump is getting power!, if they look good. Pick a fuel pump up, new or one from the wreckers at least to try it!.

[Liter]

Could just be bad fuel in the lines...id say before buying something new to try pumping hte gas pedal to the floor then trying to turn the car over. Try it a few times first to get all that old gas out of the lines. (the pumping before you try to turn the car over turns on the choke and lets fuel into the carb). If it still doesnt work then do what freak said.

[SuaveFresh]

Thanks for your replies, fellas.

I did try pumping the gas pedal. No good, so I will indeed check all the lines, then the pump.

I have looked around the internet, and am unable to find whether or not I should drain the gas from the tank prior to removing the fuel pump. Do you guys know?


Thanks again,
Mary