1988 corolla...bad idle, need injectors?

[02_SLE_6]

i need help with this car asap wheather its comming from a toyota tech or w.e. but im in the process of "restoring" this toyota corolla 1988 CARB MODEL w/ 155k miles. not sure which kind since im not familar with toyotas much but its a 4dr sedan. i have no idea who the previous owners were but i assuming they didnt take care of this little car too well. first off, the car was stored in a garage for 3-4 months without anyone driving it nor turning it on. now the car starts but has problems such as idle is rough and engine shakes at idle and will eventually shut off after few seconds. even when in "D" (drive.. its automatic btw) at a stop.. engine will shut off
heres the maintaince it received so far:
-motor oil change with 10w-30 castrol high mileage oil
-brand new battery
-alternator is fine
-filter is clean and still white
-new spark plugs


i thought it was the fuel since its been sitting on the same gasoline for the 3 months or so. i decided to go down a local gas station like those ampm/arco/etc places and fill it up with some 89. after $8 worth, the tank is half way full and the idle is still terrible. im not sure about the coolant but i checked the coolant its a little below MAX. but once i sniffed the coolant, it smelled like a prositutes vagina (seriously). it stank so bad. not sure if coolant has to do with anything though? i heard from others it may be the injectors and some fuel treatment/injection cleaners may help the idle... is this true?

so i want to know anyones input, advice, suggestions, anything so i can get this corolla running well enough for my buddy cause he needs a temporary car to get to school/work for the next few months asap!

thank you.

[KnightX_AE86]

im havin the same prob with my 86.. but not as bad that it'll died in when idel.... but it'll have not enuff gas when im driving but its full tank and it'll just die....

[ems]

Well 02sle you have started off correct. What I would do if I were you is change the distributor cap and rotor. You should also change the gas filter as it is very easy on this car. After you change these two parts let us know what happens. If this doesn't fix the problem you could have a vacume but, try those things first and good luck.

[chronoti]

also renting a timing gun can help if what ems sugested didnt work

[KnightX_AE86]

i have changed the fuel filter a week ago and it still doing the same thing..... iv checked the timing and that's ok too......KSRD said that its most likey the AMF or TPS.... so im gonna change both.... i found a guy on this form that has both of wut i need..... for the total of $15 USD and when i get the part from him and after it goes on the car i'll see wut happens and i'll let u know how it went..... n no i havent changed the cap yet but that's gona b next IF the AMF and TPS doesnt fix the prob.... and IF eveything is changed (AMF, TPS and cap) and it still does the same thing then im gonna b 1 sad camper!

[REN69]

KnightX... I don't think it will matter how it goes with your car.. his car is Carburated... so its a 4AF not a 4AGE.

02SLE.. that car is been sitting around for a while without starting.. chances are it just needs to get the carb cleaned.

[02_SLE_6]

hey thanks for the replies/advice.

i opened up the carb filter and i was suprised... the filter is white clean and looks like its less than 50k miles old. now i checked the tubing where the air flow goes thru and its pretty damn rusted/dirty. but i doubt thats the problem why its idle is crap, but ill be taking care of that prob once i figure out the main issue (idling).

change the distributor cap and rotor? how much do those go for and can it be purchased from stores like autozone, kragen, pepboys, etc?

[ems]

Hey 02sle6 you can buy the cap,wire and rotor at any auto parts store. On the 4af engine they usually sell the distrubutor and wires as a single unit so, it may cost a little more than other cars. I dont remember the price. While you are at it also check and possibly change all those old vacuum lines on the carb you may be surprised that you may have a slight air leak. good luck.

[toyotaspeed90]

maybe replace the jets in the carb if they're going out......... you don't have injectors

[REN69]

02_SLE.. I would buy the rotor and cap from Toyota if I was you.. I bought a set about a year and a half ago from a parts store.. I think they're already failing. cheap P.O.S.! I'm getting the set from Toyota on the weekend.