Need HELP with an older corolla ANYONE?! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

opivyfan1313 · 09-11-2007, 02:36 PM

So I just bought a 1988 corolla LE (carburated) and I noticed something rather odd with it right away.

At first, it seemed to start very slowly, im assuming because its 20 yrs old and carburated, and at times would only start if you gave it gas. I just ran some injector/fuel system cleaner through it and it seems to have gotten better.

NOW FOR THE WEIRD PART

For the first 5-10 minutes of it turning over and running it runs like CRAP. Sputters and feels like its going to shut down, giving it gas seems to take a while and almost doesnt do anything at times. BUT after that 5-10 minutes the thing runs GREAT. It's only the initial start-up and the small period after it!

ANY ideas on what the problem is or has anyone else experienced something similar?!?!

I called a Toyota dealership and they said "I have no idea" THANKS!

Somone PLEASE help, this is my commuter car and I drive it 80 miles a day! I need this thing running!

costadragon220 · 09-11-2007, 02:56 PM

Sounds like the idle setting is a bit off

Pineapple · 09-11-2007, 03:32 PM

Or cold start setting/circuit.

opivyfan1313 · 09-11-2007, 08:58 PM

so how do i fix this then?

it runs fine when warm, but that initial 10 mins is brutal

what part(s) should I get???

root · 09-11-2007, 11:11 PM

Hm, you might have to find someone good with carbs. SOunds like something with the cold choke circuit maybe. You could get a carb rebuild kit, but thats not for someone faint of heart to repair, lots of little bits.

ae92Xtruen0Xsr5 · 09-12-2007, 12:59 AM

umm yea just a suggestion i believe me and u had the same problem...what i did to solve this problem was check all the distributor wires...uhh just take them out and put them back on is wat i did and my car stoped shaking forouciously...if that does not work then yes it may be the idle...

ae92Xtruen0Xsr5 · 09-12-2007, 01:02 AM

MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS OFF FIRST BEFORE U START FIDDLING!!! jus make sure the distributor caps are jus well place and the spark plug wires too...then start up your motor see if it still has the same problem...if it does srry man dont no wat to else tell you...

root · 09-12-2007, 01:35 AM

Oh, and try taking the air cleaner off and shooting some carb cleaner diretcly into carb as per instructions. Will clean better than anything you can add to gas tank.

90 GP · 09-12-2007, 03:41 AM

If you haven't done it already replace cap/rotor/plugs/ wires and gas filter. Also make sure choke valve is closing completely before you start it and then opens slightly when you start it. If it doesn't open slightly it can cause what you describe . Also check that mass of vaccum lines for leaks. Another possibility is your valves could be in need of adjustment. Not that hard to do but will need a manual to give you the instructions to perform it.

mopars&corollas · 09-12-2007, 02:32 PM

I have a fair amount of experience with carbs. Without more info I would say your choke is engaging when it should not be. The suggestion to spray a little carb and choke cleaner in it isn't a bad idea at all. Your choke can be manually disengaged to ensure it is not causing the issue.---it starts to run better when the car gets warm and disengauges the choke. I have seen this happen many times.

opivyfan1313 · 09-12-2007, 02:43 PM

just did a full tune-up on the thing

plugs/wires/cap/fuel filter

ill try double-checking wires and cap and vaccuum lines

as per the carb cleaner..i just take the air filter out and shoot it down there? Guess i'll give that a try too...sounds easy enough

a new carb for this thing is a fortune and i haven't been able to find a rebuild kit for it so i hope its just something small and stupid

opivyfan1313 · 09-12-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopars&corollas

I have a fair amount of experience with carbs. Without more info I would say your choke is engaging when it should not be. The suggestion to spray a little carb and choke cleaner in it isn't a bad idea at all. Your choke can be manually disengaged to ensure it is not causing the issue.---it starts to run better when the car gets warm and disengauges the choke. I have seen this happen many times.

soooo you think i need a new carb or a rebuild kit then?

mopars&corollas · 09-12-2007, 02:56 PM

I have rebuilt plenty of carbs and I am saying that you want to be certain the problem is with the carb before you attempt a rebuid. That is not a project undertaken lightly or in an afternoon for a novice. The carb and choke cleaner is just sprayed into the carb while the engine is running, your engine will strain a little and this is normal. you COULD have a vaccum leak or a sketchy idle circuit. BUT, the fact that it runs better as it gets warmed up and has a shakey time starting and with giving it gas initially strongly leads me to believe that something is not right with the choke- that is a very classic sign. If it is the choke, that can be easily dealt with just by unhooking it if nothing else. Trust me, you will be livid if you rebuild the carb and nothing is better/changed so you want to try and rule out everything that you can.

opivyfan1313 · 09-12-2007, 03:37 PM

i dont understand carbs at all but i know what the choke is and i know how to disconnect it

so i dont need it connected at all for it to still operate?

mopars&corollas · 09-12-2007, 03:49 PM

It does not need to be hooked up- a more basic version of what GP 90 was saying- make sure it IS being held completely in the OFF position, this is usually perpendicular to the ground- zip ties can be your friend. Also the suggestion to check for vacuum leaks is a good one, in an older car they can develope in to minor gremlins or major demons- I have fought both in my 1969. Borrowing a vaccum gauge to confirm its in spec might be worth it.