1988 toyota corolla

[FullMetal]

Hello all. I've encountered a long list of problems with this car over the last two weeks.

1.6 litre 16 valve overhead cam
4 door

Essentially it began with the fan heater needing to be replaced. Afterwards, I needed to replace the alternator (the engine wouldn't start), and after that was done the engine began dieseling when I turned off the ignition. The engine is still dieseling when it shuts off.

Along with that (this was occuring before I replaced the alternator), the engine was revving both very high and then very low. When the RPMs went low it might just cut out altogether. I solved the stalling when it went low by increasing the idle. I had some ether and sprayed the ends of the vacuum hoses to see if perhaps there was a leak and air was causing the problem. It revved evenly when I sprayed it directly into the top of the carborator (don't know nearly anything about cars, to be honest, so I don't know the parts name). Regardless it revved evenly when I did that. But after cutting some frayed vacuum hoses it still did it. That is still a problem. My wife lost the owner's manual and chilton. If there is a way I could quickly find a copy of that that would be fantastic as well.

The next problem is that when it starts it heats up and the coolant overflows. When I was away for work, my wife got a neighbor to replace the thermostat. He added coolant to the radiator, but he did not drain or replace the fluid. Also, now when it runs the radiator smokes. I haven't been able to check this for myself yet. I wasn't sure on how I could problerly a) drain the coolant from the radiator, the overflow tank, and the engine block, and b) replace the thermostat in the meantime. So now that I am back I want to replace the coolant again, because the neighbor that added the new coolant neglected to buy the same brand of coolant that was used before, and I also don't know how long ago the coolant was changed. The radiator has some holes in the grill, and also some small rust spots over it. I was also wondering where the drain plug for the coolant in the engine was, and also where the overflow tank is for the radiator on the 1988 corolla I have. I'm sure it's right next to the battery, but I couldn't seen to find a drain plug on it. I also can't find the drain plug on the alternator.

If anyone could help even a little I would appreciate it greatly. If you need any more information on the car type I will get it.

-Michael

[REN69]

Coolant is coolant no matter what brand it is, the only difference could be it was either pure or premixed (half water) OR its long life coolant which is red in colour.

About the problems, welcome to the 15-year-old-plus car owners club. my car is an 89 and yeah, this is about the time when all those 15yr old parts start to go.

Have you ever replaced your fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor, etc. What about your timing belt? mine is ready to go soon and I know my car is dieseling a bit because of this. timing seems to be off. Play around with the carburator, maybe you need to adjust the idling.

What about the rad? is it the original rad? if it is, then you're probably way overdue for a new replacement. Push on the rad fins, if they break off like you're touching paper, then you need a new rad.