toyota truck stops running

fackle · 06-05-2009, 09:31 PM

I have a problem with keeping my 1980 Toyota truck running. It will start and run (seeming well) for about 3 or 4 blocks, then acts as if it is running out of gas and stalls. It will not start until it sits for 5 or 6 minutes. Then it will start and will run for another few blocks before the same thing happens. Engine temperature does not seem to make any difference in the stalling behavour.

The gas tank was badly rusted, but that has been cleaned and rust removed; lines were blown and appear clear.
Fuel pump is recent and checks ok. Plugs, points are also ok. Carb was rebuilt a few years ago, but driven very little after the rebuild. Truck has sat unused for some time.

Most of the time I can get it to idle for some time, but driving it invariably results in the stalling. However, the idle is irregular at times.
The truck has the stock 20 R 4 cyl engine.

Any ideas? Right now, the truck is useless.

**mack1** · 06-06-2009, 06:43 AM

Hi fackle and welcome to TSF,

Try to determine if the problem is fuel supply or ignition.
When the engine stalls and won't restart, see if you are getting spark at the spark plugs.

Let us know what you find and we can start from there.

Very best regards,
Mack1

pat mcgroin · 06-06-2009, 08:21 AM

How long ago was the tank cleaned out and did you seal it when you were done?
Its possible that the rust may have redeveloped.

**Raylo** · 06-06-2009, 12:15 PM

Could be a clogged fuel filter

fackle · 06-09-2009, 08:40 PM

Well, I've played with the truck some more. I think it's carb problems. It does get worse as the engine heats (beyond where the temp gauge stops climbing, though).
I've got good vacuum (as tested with the hand over the intake that goes to the air cleaner). I did discover that it was running overly rich; adjusting the air screw made a good difference in the overall idle. The stalling problem persists, though.

There is a very noticeable hesitation when first applying throttle. The engine will either stall and stop or will pickup and accelerate, depending on-- I don't know what.

It's possible I have weak ignition. There is a spark booster unit sitting on the coil, but I don't know how to check it. The engine starts fine when given a squirt of starter fluid. I also seems to run without missing (during the times it is running!)

Gas coming through the jet into the carb throttle barrel seems to dribble in when the accelerator is first pulled (that hesitation period). If the engine stays lit, the gas will then spray in as the engine revs. The accelerator pump seems to be working ok.

06-05-2009, 09:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
fackle Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 OS: win xp	toyota truck stops running I have a problem with keeping my 1980 Toyota truck running. It will start and run (seeming well) for about 3 or 4 blocks, then acts as if it is running out of gas and stalls. It will not start until it sits for 5 or 6 minutes. Then it will start and will run for another few blocks before the same thing happens. Engine temperature does not seem to make any difference in the stalling behavour. The gas tank was badly rusted, but that has been cleaned and rust removed; lines were blown and appear clear. Fuel pump is recent and checks ok. Plugs, points are also ok. Carb was rebuilt a few years ago, but driven very little after the rebuild. Truck has sat unused for some time. Most of the time I can get it to idle for some time, but driving it invariably results in the stalling. However, the idle is irregular at times. The truck has the stock 20 R 4 cyl engine. Any ideas? Right now, the truck is useless.

06-06-2009, 06:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
mack1 TSF Articles Team Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texarkana, Texas Posts: 1,245 OS: xp sp3 My System	Re: toyota truck stops running Hi fackle and welcome to TSF, Try to determine if the problem is fuel supply or ignition. When the engine stalls and won't restart, see if you are getting spark at the spark plugs. Let us know what you find and we can start from there. Very best regards, Mack1 __________________ "If you like yourself others will like you also" me "Don't drink downstream from the herd" Will Rogers Submit New Articles Here

06-06-2009, 08:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
pat mcgroin Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toledo Oh. Posts: 475 OS: XP Professional SP2 Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: toyota truck stops running How long ago was the tank cleaned out and did you seal it when you were done? Its possible that the rust may have redeveloped.

06-06-2009, 12:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Raylo TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 521 OS: XP Desktop, Vista HP Notebook, XP Notebook	Re: toyota truck stops running Could be a clogged fuel filter

06-09-2009, 08:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
fackle Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 OS: win xp	Re: toyota truck stops running Well, I've played with the truck some more. I think it's carb problems. It does get worse as the engine heats (beyond where the temp gauge stops climbing, though). I've got good vacuum (as tested with the hand over the intake that goes to the air cleaner). I did discover that it was running overly rich; adjusting the air screw made a good difference in the overall idle. The stalling problem persists, though. There is a very noticeable hesitation when first applying throttle. The engine will either stall and stop or will pickup and accelerate, depending on-- I don't know what. It's possible I have weak ignition. There is a spark booster unit sitting on the coil, but I don't know how to check it. The engine starts fine when given a squirt of starter fluid. I also seems to run without missing (during the times it is running!) Gas coming through the jet into the carb throttle barrel seems to dribble in when the accelerator is first pulled (that hesitation period). If the engine stays lit, the gas will then spray in as the engine revs. The accelerator pump seems to be working ok.