I have an '88 pickup with a carbureted 22R. It sputters when it idles and I can feel the exhaust "puff" when it sputters. Sometimes the sputtering is steady and other times it is erratic. The truck is tuned up, I recently put a new timing chain in it, the valves are adjusted, and it has a new fuel filter. I also cleaned the EGR tube. I have also been checking for vacuum leaks, so even though I could have missed one, let's assume it does not have any. I have heard a few other Toyotas sputter at idle and my 4x4 is also starting to sputter a little, so I am assuming that this is common. Has anyone else had this problem and figured it out? Has anyone passed smog while it was sputtering?

 

I'm not exactly sure, but mine kinda does the same thing. I think it's either a sticky EGR or a carb/choke problem.

 

it will probly pass.

i have seen trucks with simalar, but more drastic problems. they have jacked hall pic up coils, (replace distrisbutor) and also bad engine and battery grounds.
also the TPS could be out of adjustment.

 

No TPS, it's carbed.

 

you may need to replace your spark plugs. i know my p/u needs some bad and it does that.

 

Thanks for the info. I will check the distributor module. The spark plugs looked like new when I checked the compression, but I guess it could be something else ignition related.