1988 s10 4cyl - Is it overheating or what is up?

kcdclan · 09-23-2007, 04:14 PM

Ok ... Here is the D/L. It would not run one morning for class.
It would start but I tryed to take off and it tryed to die.
I got probly 100ft then decided to walk.
I started screwing around and found the sparkplugs where really louse.
I decided to change them out.
I did and tightened them ... it was starting really bad.
I knew Pressure was bad from how it was shutting off.
I lousend plugs today not losue but enuff to where they are not going anywhere.
This is where i am at.
I think it's good to drive around but I don't wanna take any chances.

When I start it it will be on high RPM/s for ~20 seconds.
Then it will settle down.
Sounds really good but I think it's overheating.
I personaly have no idea if it is or not.
I don't know of a way to check.

It's a older truck so no gauge to see.
I think there is a light but I don't know.

Before when I was driving it...
It would not always start.
I would try and would not turn over or anything.
Nothing happen when I tryed to start.
If I would give it time it would normaly start later on.

Here is a video of start.
It kind of skips a little.I will try to get better quality later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZUA_La-c3c

**qldit** · 09-24-2007, 03:55 AM

Good Evening kcdclan, firstly I must sympathise with that poor machine, it looks as though it is badly in need of some tender loving care.

I would suggest fitting new spark-plugs and ensuring they are properly tightened, never run with loose plugs.

The sound the machine is making would appear that the automatic choke (obviously electric) has a problem and this appears to be accentuated by a fuel availability problem. Possibly dirt in the carb or the carb needs some attention at least.

Is that a carb model or fuel injected, it looks very odd to me, I see what appears to be an oxygen sensor but also what appears to be a carby. I am not familiar with that particular engine type.

Why did you have the alternator excitation plug disconnected? (in one of the images)

There is evidence of long time oil leakage on the side of the engine where the spark plugs are located, and it looks as though you have no horn (no horn button on steering wheel)

There are no apparent tell-tale signs of overheating but that would be apparent it the machine is using coolant.

It obviously cranks and starts OK, your mention of a previous problem would most likely be related to battery terminal looseness or poor contact going by the basic condition of the vehicle.

You might begin by giving the machine an oil change and then looking into the carburettor and fuel apparent problem and clean and service the battery paying special attention to the terminal leads.

It may be worth fitting a manual choke if that is possible when the carby is overhauled.

Overall the poor thing needs a bit of basic attention to most items and an engine clean wouldn't go astray either.

Regrettably it must be mentioned if the images shown are anything to go by, the vehicle would most likely be unroadworthy in my opinion.

Edit. Check the brake fluid reservoir, it looks like it is low! (hard to tell from the image)

Edit 2. The fan belt is badly cracked and also requires replacement.

Cheers, qldit.

**qldit** · 09-24-2007, 09:14 PM

Good Afternoon kcdclan, please disregard much of my suggestion regarding carburettor mention on the previous post, I had another look at the images and positively determined that machine is a computer controlled EFI system.

This changes the entire concept of troubleshooting.

What is actually happening is that your machine is starting and following a pre-programmed schedule from the computer, that is controlling the overall engine operation in the initial phase.

Normally that phase (closed loop mode) would be followed until the engine has been running for a period and then the computer would be switched to an "open loop" mode.

What appears to be happening is that for some odd reason it is changing modes a bit early, and then the various sensors on the engine are accessed and provide effective control as an intelligent system.

In that the engine is dying it suggests something in that open loop, probably one of the sensors has a problem such that the computer cannot maintain control.

You will need to access the computer codes, this will most likely give an idea as to which or group of sensors is causing the problem.

Others may have different ideas.

Cheers, qldit.

09-23-2007, 04:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
kcdclan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1 OS: How would ppl know	1988 s10 4cyl - Is it overheating or what is up? Ok ... Here is the D/L. It would not run one morning for class. It would start but I tryed to take off and it tryed to die. I got probly 100ft then decided to walk. I started screwing around and found the sparkplugs where really louse. I decided to change them out. I did and tightened them ... it was starting really bad. I knew Pressure was bad from how it was shutting off. I lousend plugs today not losue but enuff to where they are not going anywhere. This is where i am at. I think it's good to drive around but I don't wanna take any chances. When I start it it will be on high RPM/s for ~20 seconds. Then it will settle down. Sounds really good but I think it's overheating. I personaly have no idea if it is or not. I don't know of a way to check. It's a older truck so no gauge to see. I think there is a light but I don't know. Before when I was driving it... It would not always start. I would try and would not turn over or anything. Nothing happen when I tryed to start. If I would give it time it would normaly start later on. Here is a video of start. It kind of skips a little.I will try to get better quality later. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZUA_La-c3c Last edited by kcdclan; 09-23-2007 at 04:15 PM. Reason: IMG's

09-24-2007, 03:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
qldit TSF Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia. Posts: 592 OS: All Systems, mainly Linux	Re: 1988 s10 4cyl - Is it overheating or what is up? Good Evening kcdclan, firstly I must sympathise with that poor machine, it looks as though it is badly in need of some tender loving care. I would suggest fitting new spark-plugs and ensuring they are properly tightened, never run with loose plugs. The sound the machine is making would appear that the automatic choke (obviously electric) has a problem and this appears to be accentuated by a fuel availability problem. Possibly dirt in the carb or the carb needs some attention at least. Is that a carb model or fuel injected, it looks very odd to me, I see what appears to be an oxygen sensor but also what appears to be a carby. I am not familiar with that particular engine type. Why did you have the alternator excitation plug disconnected? (in one of the images) There is evidence of long time oil leakage on the side of the engine where the spark plugs are located, and it looks as though you have no horn (no horn button on steering wheel) There are no apparent tell-tale signs of overheating but that would be apparent it the machine is using coolant. It obviously cranks and starts OK, your mention of a previous problem would most likely be related to battery terminal looseness or poor contact going by the basic condition of the vehicle. You might begin by giving the machine an oil change and then looking into the carburettor and fuel apparent problem and clean and service the battery paying special attention to the terminal leads. It may be worth fitting a manual choke if that is possible when the carby is overhauled. Overall the poor thing needs a bit of basic attention to most items and an engine clean wouldn't go astray either. Regrettably it must be mentioned if the images shown are anything to go by, the vehicle would most likely be unroadworthy in my opinion. Edit. Check the brake fluid reservoir, it looks like it is low! (hard to tell from the image) Edit 2. The fan belt is badly cracked and also requires replacement. Cheers, qldit. Last edited by qldit; 09-24-2007 at 04:11 AM.

09-24-2007, 09:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
qldit TSF Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia. Posts: 592 OS: All Systems, mainly Linux	Re: 1988 s10 4cyl - Is it overheating or what is up? Good Afternoon kcdclan, please disregard much of my suggestion regarding carburettor mention on the previous post, I had another look at the images and positively determined that machine is a computer controlled EFI system. This changes the entire concept of troubleshooting. What is actually happening is that your machine is starting and following a pre-programmed schedule from the computer, that is controlling the overall engine operation in the initial phase. Normally that phase (closed loop mode) would be followed until the engine has been running for a period and then the computer would be switched to an "open loop" mode. What appears to be happening is that for some odd reason it is changing modes a bit early, and then the various sensors on the engine are accessed and provide effective control as an intelligent system. In that the engine is dying it suggests something in that open loop, probably one of the sensors has a problem such that the computer cannot maintain control. You will need to access the computer codes, this will most likely give an idea as to which or group of sensors is causing the problem. Others may have different ideas. Cheers, qldit.