Running on 3 cylinders - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dfolz3 · 09-28-2004, 10:10 AM

Hello eveyone, I'm new here and need help.

I have a '88 Corolla SR5 (carberated) that just started running on 3 cylinders, (#1,2,3). #4 does not fire untill engine is warm. Once warmed up it runs fine.

I have spark (even when cold), there is fuel (spark plug is wet when I pull it), and I have compression (182psi).
Even after replacing plug it will not run on all 4 cylinders untill warm.

About 500 miles ago I replaced: air filter, pcv valve, plugs (Bosch platinum), spark plug wires with cap and rotor, fuel filter (of course oil and filter).
I also added a bottle of Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant and Injector Cleaner to the fuel system. This is the first time I used this product in this vehicle

Any thoughts, ideas, comments?
Thanks Dave

chronoti · 09-28-2004, 12:25 PM

check your coil it could be going out.

dfolz3 · 10-02-2004, 04:43 PM

Checked coil........It's OK.
Besides, the coil provides spark to all plugs. Why is it the same cylinder?

I also ckecked the resistance of all plug wires, all OK.

Flashmn · 10-02-2004, 05:58 PM

maybe the rotator inside the distributor-cap is broken. Not the rotor, but inside, the one that triggers the ignitor. its sort of a diamond shaped thing.

homeguard · 10-02-2004, 08:03 PM

my car does that, check your oil and see if it is milky.

cobrajet25 · 10-03-2004, 07:52 AM

Sounds like maybe you have a bad plug wire? I know you replaced them, but it is possible that you just got a bad set (had it happen to me). Maybe an intermittant break inside one of the wires? Try switching the plug wires around if you can and see if that helps. If the cap you have has the permanently attached wires, you can pull a used one out of a junkyard and try that to see if there is any change. You might try switching the plugs from cylinder to cylinder too, just in case you got a bad one. Check the contacts inside the cap for damage, and check for moisture, etc. I hate carburetors!

Considering your car has about ten miles of vacuum lines under it's hood the problem could be anywhere. Good luck! Regards, Aaron

dfolz3 · 10-04-2004, 08:35 AM

Thanks every one.
The distributor seems OK, no mositure, I'll check the diamond thingy. I do have some old plug wires from my 88 4Runner, I'll
try one.

Also, I started it yesterday and it was running on 3 cylinders. Well, I could hear an exhaust leak from the manifold to the down pipe connection. I went to tighten the nuts and found oily water leaking out. I do get alot of smoke from the exhaust untill it starts to fire on all 4. Could this be the head gasket?
I did a warm compression check, 182psi, and I checked it cold, 190psi. Mayby a leaky valve seal?!
What do you guys think?
Thanks again, Dave.
(P.S. I'ts the number 1 cylinder, Not 4, I was confused)

TRDemon · 10-04-2004, 12:21 PM

what type of engine is this you have ?

sugarloafpkwy · 10-04-2004, 12:24 PM

Try checking:

1.) Fuel injector for no 4. (Maybe just swap it out with another cylinder is cheapest)

2.) Check for vacuum leak on the no 4 runner (starting fluid works good)

interesting problem. I've always heard of problems like this only once the car warms up.

TRDemon · 10-04-2004, 01:55 PM

WHAT TYPE OF ENGINE IS IT?????

***REN69*** · 10-04-2004, 09:06 PM

Did you get OEM wires or the cheap $20 set from a parts store?? I got a set of those for my old Civic.. lets just say that was the last time I would buy something other than OEM wires.

dfolz3 · 10-05-2004, 08:25 AM

Engine is a 4AF, (carberated, gear driven dual overhead cam, 16valve).

The plug wires are aftermarket, Wells brand, 7mm silicone.
The wires and cap come as a set, (although the plug wires can be removed from the cap, unlike the OEM's), thay were about $45.

crockdaddy420 · 10-12-2004, 02:28 PM

It may be the head gasket, is it a milky substance (white). Which would be a mix of coolant and oil because of a crack. When you jump on it does it take a while to spool up and it dosen't really go anywhere. Not chugging and lerching, but just a while to spool. I had a car that the head gasket went and that was the symptoms. When your driving at one stable speed is it pinging?

Andryuha · 10-12-2004, 08:51 PM

14ac · 10-12-2004, 09:08 PM

Something I have found out is a stopped up Exhaust Gas recirculation (egr valve) can cause a toyota with alot of miles to stop running on 1 and 3 cylinders.Might sound crazy but my car is running on all 4 now. Someone told me this and I couldnt beleive it.Exact same symptoms of my car, Not wires or vaccum lines like EVERYONE suggests.... Try this. It works on high mileage Toyotas. I KNOW THIS first hand, no one on this forum even suggested this anywhere.