Hi all, long time lurker, first time posting, I've gotten a lot of help from this forum for a few years now, but now I'm really stumped. Here's whats happening to my 81 Pickup with 22r engine:

About a week ago I tried starting the truck, and it ignited, but then promptly lost rpms and died. Popped it open and saw the center distr. cap wire wasn't on all the way, tried it again, and worked fine. Later that night, same problem occured, but nothing visually was disconnected. When I tried to give it gas as I started it, it barely wanted to respond, and then wouldnt at all. Tried one last time, and got the rpms up to 4000 and then it idled just fine, and i continued on, didnt have much time to look into it cause I was working a lot. So I continued to use it using this trick of getting it up to 4000 rpms at startup. Sometimes I would hear a slight squeal, like something was spinning wrong, but giving it some gas got rid of it until the next time I turned it on.

Today I was driving and heard a squealing like a timing belt would make if it wasnt properly secured, then a second later, a loud boom, and the charge battery light coming on. It's a brand new battery by the way, 3 weeks old.

My destination was a block away, and the truck seemed to run fine getting there, but next time I take off, it starts to overheat and spew radiator fluid. pull over, open it up, and see the fan belt is destroyed. Pushed it back home, and am going to get a new fan belt tomorrow, but I know that theres an underlying problem that caused the fan belt to get destroyed, and that it has something to do with this startup problem. I've looked all over the net, and in my Toyota dummy book, but i can't find anything about this problem or even a clue as to what the problem is.

Anyone have any ideas? It'd be greatly appreciated, I'm stumped, and its my only mode of transportation so I've got to figure it out fast!

Thanks for reading.

 

Check the alternator??

Sounds like you had a bearing going bad and it locked up.

 

Suspect a seized/damaged alternator or water pump.

 

It ignites fine, just doesnt want to stay running. Battery shows 13 volts, I was supposing he check battery light came on as a check engine light, since there isnt one.

 

AH! Check battery light came on because the alternator wasnt turning anymore because its on the same belt as the fan i am thinking.

 

Absolutely.

 

But what does the alternator have to do with the engine not wanting to stay on unless I give it a lot of gas? I was thinking it was something with not enough pressure or suction to keep the engine running, and once it gets a high enough amount of gas, it has enough siphon to it to keep running. Fuel systems arent my major, though so I might be completely off.

 

Your problem is in your original posting.

Possible you may have multiple problems.

Your Fan/alternator belt was damaged.

-Verify condition of alternator/water pump...?

-Seized alternator/water pump...?

The alternator provides electrical energy for engine accessories and controls. With out the alternator then engines only power source is the battery. Alternator also charges the battery... If alternator fails then engine operates only on the battery... once the battery is discharged and can no longer provide the engine accessories/controls with electrical energy...

well...

The engine will not operate.

 

I'll check the alternator and water pump in the morning. Though the battery is charged, and stays charged (well not since the belt was destroyed, but that only happened today.) I am positive a new fan belt will fix the overheating and will then charge the battery. You are right, I didnt make the real problem clear enough. The real problem is getting the engine to idle without having to give it that excessive gas to keep it running. Cam issue?

 

Electrical or mechanical fuel pump?

Either or, check the fuel filter and the strainer (sock) in the tank.. These old trucks are notorious for the strainer (sock) falling apart and clogging up the fuel system.

 

Hey all, today I inspected the water pump and alternator, both seemed in working order, installed the new belt and she is purring like a kitten again. didnt have to force gas or anything, started right up with no issues. strange how a bad belt can cause such unrelated problems... Wiser from it now! Thanks!