Ok, my buddy bought an 84 yesterday and it runs pretty good but it has an issue that is bothering me. It is a very cold starting truck. we pump the gas pedal to get it started but it takes it a while to get started and once it starts you have to rev it up a little bit to keep it going.

do you all know what might be causing this or what we may have to look at in order to fix this problem? i know some carburated vehicles do this but i figure we could make it a little bit easier to start. thanks and i am new to the 84 year modle so please bear with me. thanks

anything else maintenace wise that we need to check to make sure everything is where it needs to be? also, what RPM's should he be idling at? thanks

 

Sounds like the automatic choke is not working properly. Not postive on the exact idle numbers on that engine but should be in the 600-800 range.

 

that is what i was thinking because my 88 4runner idles around 750. i am afraid when we set his idle around that (it is at 1100 right now) than it won't run at all. what can we do about the automatic choke? anyway to check it, clean it, etc...? thanks and i appreciate your time.

 

There are 3 rivets holding the choke on, drill them out and replace with self tapping sheeet metal screws. Then you can adjust it.

You can also up the idle a bit if needed.

The idle mix adj screw is covered by a metal cap. If you take a drill bit (3/16 maybe?) and turn it by hand it will pop off. DO NOT use a drill or you will destroy the adj screw underneath.

 

why dont you rebuild the carb or buy a reman carb? or even a weber

 

he is thinking about doing that.

 

You should never have to adjust the choke from its factory setting, i would recomend that you clean up the carb and rebuild it, check all your vacuum lines and make sure there hooked up corectly and also check the timing. I did this on my 85 toyota and it runs great.

 

take off the air cleaner when its cold. have your friend turn on the key but dont start it, put his foot all the way down and let up slowly and see if the choke sets. If it runs a bit rough and has some miles and you think its got crap built inside the engine, i learned a trick from a guy. you warm up the engine completely, hold up the rpms pretty good then dump about 6oz of water down the carb slowly(make sure to keep it running) and it acts like a steam cleaner to all your valves and pistons. there is a product called seafoam that works too but this is free and works great.

 

Hah! I never would have thought of that! lol.

 

Maybe a problem with the body hardware or some screws.


_________________
Auveco Body Hardware and Fasteners - Auveco Body Hardware and Speciality Fasteners

 

Just try pouring water down your engine.
Get back to us and let us know how many pieces your motor is in.

 

actually, if you just pour a small stream like suggested, it will work to clean the engine as promised. don't pour too much or you *could* hydrolock it and really do some damage.

 

sheesh, i was thinking kapow myself!!!

 

I have been having a similar problem. It is very noticeable when its cold outside, sometimes I don't have enough batter to crank it until it starts. Just last time I was at home I tried using some carb cleaner on it, actually quite a bit of carb cleaner. I sprayed a good amount down through the carb, as well as on the linkages and pretty much anything else that i thought needed some. I haven't had a chance to see if it helped any just yet, I will post back as soon as I try starting it again.

 

Thats one of the reasons they developed EFI. heh heh
Get a carb tune up, make sure the automatic choke works properly will usually take care of the cold start. Normal operation, when cold, push the gas pedal once, choke closes, crank, soon as the vacuum develops, choke pull off opens the choke about 1/3, then the heat from the engine or electric bimetal device, warms up and opens the choke the rest of the way for normal operaion. When stone cold, the choke should be totally closed, soon as it fires, it should open part way, or you'll flood.

 

The problem is the choke is not working correctly, just have to pump it about 3 or 4 times then it cranks right up. Once it warms up it runs great..

PS forgot to say I'm the friend

 

try cleaning all the linkages. I cleaned up all the linkages for mine and it starts better and my fast idle no longer sticks on