QuestionHi Tim,
I am trying to help a friend who's '87 pickup is blowing some black smoke. A local mechanic told him that it was the carburetor, and that the choke was stuck in the open position. I am thinking about buying it - here's the deal:
When you crank the engine it doesn't want to stay running until you get it warmed up. Once warm it then seems to idle a little high, but very well without problems. (a full tune up was just performed)
The question:
The mechanic stated that the carb needs to be cleaned and that in the case of this model it's usually better to replace one than tear it apart to rebuild. He stated that probably 3 times out of 10 you won't get it back together correctly.
Since he is not very knowledgeable in older Toyota's i thought i would ask your opinion on both the problem as well as the statements made by this mechanic.
Please advise, and many thanks for your time and help!
Chris in TN
AnswerChris,
When the choke is open all the way it will be hard to start
when and keep running when the engine is cold. that won't make
it blow black smoke so I assume its from pumping a lot of gas
in it to start it and keep it going. Its easy to rebuild a carb
if someone has the experience. I would not recommend it if you
haven't rebuilt a few before. Your better off getting one out of a
junk yard. ( make sure its for the same year truck) It sounds like
the choke isn't working properly. You could find a manual choke
kit with cable and attach it, I would suggest this first.
make sure all the vacuum hoses and
linkage lines are hooked up properly. If the EGR is stuck in
one position it will run rough and smoke. EGR's are easy to test
with a vacuum gun.
Good luck,
let me know the outcome.
Tim
