86 Corolla runs fine, then sputters and dies

#1
Hey all,
My 1986 Corolla only has about 191k miles and recently has been having some problems that are causing it to be unreliable. For a while now, it kind of chugs a little, but recently has gotten much worse. It'll start just fine and drive off without a problem, then after a few minutes, it will die. It has also been backfiring. It WILL start eventually, but takes about 10 minutes. Any thoughts? Is it timing or fuel delivery? Car is carburated. I am not sure where to start. By the way, I have recently replaced the fuel filter and have checked the air filter, both are fine. I start a new job on Monday and need to have this car working, she's my only form of transportation! Thanks!
 
#4
Get a timing light and check it against the spec. Don't know the spec? Check the manual. Don't have a manual? Get one. There is a beautiful plastic wrapped factory service manual on ebay now for $18 + shipping. If necessary move the distributor to advance or retard the timing. Your car has an automatic choke. You pump the pedal twice, then start it without touching the pedal, once it warms up after a minute or two you pump the throttle to disengage the choke. If the car is not starting this way, there may be an issue with this mechanism. Does it idle smoothly? Remove the air filter and check the hoses. There are some that can get disconnected underneath it. The hoses can also get brittle with age. Check those and make sure they are pliable. Replace them if necessary. There is also a hose from the exhaust that goes up to the air filter housing to help with warm up.
 
#5
This is a difficult subject. We need to check that it should not be wild that such a situation like this. If we do not have the knowledge to disturb the best.
 
#6
If it back fires that sounds like distributor is out of timing , Could be plug wire crossed . The hard start is from the back firing flooding your carb
 
#8
Get a timing light and check it against the spec. Don't know the spec? Check the manual. Don't have a manual? Get one. There is a beautiful plastic wrapped factory service manual on ebay now for $18 + shipping. If necessary move the distributor to advance or retard the timing. Your car has an automatic choke. You pump the pedal twice, then start it without touching the pedal, once it warms up after a minute or two you pump the throttle to disengage the choke. If the car is not starting this way, there may be an issue with this mechanism. Does it idle smoothly? Remove the air filter and check the hoses. There are some that can get disconnected underneath it. The hoses can also get brittle with age. Check those and make sure they are pliable. Replace them if necessary. There is also a hose from the exhaust that goes up to the air filter housing to help with warm up.

I would follow this advice - Because this would expose if your timing chain jumped a tooth or is stretched . What size motor do you have ?? Is it the 4a or 3tc .
 
#9
I'm too much satisfy as its run very well! Also i realize that it's performance is quite better than relevant brand. Hope marketer will be more concern in near future to the customer benefits.
 
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