88 S/C cold running issues

lrsm2 · 04-09-2008, 04:07 PM

I have recently inherited a 1988 S/C from a deceased friend. The car was parked for almost 3 years. Mostly recommissioned at this point. One driveability issue, the car when started cold will not accept throttle from idle, wants to die.....wide open throttle is OK...but you have to work the gas pedal to keep it running off idle until it catches and revs up. Once the car reaches normal operating temp it seems fine.
Any ideas? Coolant temp sensor?
Also are upholstery kits for the factory leather seats available from any manufacturer?

Thanks Lance

mr2tim · 04-24-2008, 11:39 PM

Hey Lance,

just assembled an 88 s/c from alot of pieces and noticed that even down here in the warm climates my ride (untouched engine) needs lots of warmup time.
(this car sat along 13 yrs in storage too)

The 88 temp gauage is 1/4 way left of center on the dash gauge all the time.

Then consider the 89 s/c racecar, immediate warmup, with guage locating straight up and down. this racecar has had alot of Thermo changes due to Xmas drives to snowny Detroit. Not sure what's in there now really.

My 87 drag car had fan relay problems when only 1 of 2 fans wouldn't work. Heat gauge went wacko. I could not detect the 2nd fan wssn't working w/o a/c on.

When you key up the car do the front fans or side engine vent fan start up first?

Have you seen them all work. Then w and w/o A/c on?

Keep an eye on all those intake-supercharger air hoses, even a tiny loose clamp will produce unusual symptoms in this engine..

Hey, do you drive this car in the snow?

Happy Motoring

mr2tim

bspecmr2 · 05-24-2008, 06:40 PM

lrsm2, what you are describing as hesitation while cold may have a few culprits.
When bringing a car back to life after sitting for so long I'd start with an extensive tuneup.
Siphon out all the old gas that may be in the gas tank. Replace the fuel filter. Get a new set of spark plugs (ngk copper, champion copper), plug wires (i only trust a set from toyota), distributor cap and rotor. New air filter.
Another thing that may affect rough cold throttle response is plugged up injectors and cold start injector.
A complete fluid exchange would be on my list of priorities as well (oil, transmission fluid and coolant)
If you have a faulty sensor, a check engine light and a code will likely appear.
An Oxygen sensor may not throw a constant check engine code, but may be faulty as well thus reducing the peppiness of the engine.
While replacing all coolant, I would opt in for a new thermostat and radiator cap.
If all those things have been addressed and the vehicle still acts up, it should be timed (cam/crank timing), but that does not seem necessary, given that throttle response improves once it's warmed up.

oh .. and definitely look at the supercharger oil level and add if necessary. SC oil is available from toyota (expensive) and from Ford (half price if not less)

04-09-2008, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
lrsm2 No Skills Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	88 S/C cold running issues I have recently inherited a 1988 S/C from a deceased friend. The car was parked for almost 3 years. Mostly recommissioned at this point. One driveability issue, the car when started cold will not accept throttle from idle, wants to die.....wide open throttle is OK...but you have to work the gas pedal to keep it running off idle until it catches and revs up. Once the car reaches normal operating temp it seems fine. Any ideas? Coolant temp sensor? Also are upholstery kits for the factory leather seats available from any manufacturer? Thanks Lance

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04-24-2008, 11:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
mr2tim SUPERcharZed ToyZ RacZer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 690 Thanks: 2 Thanked 41 Times in 38 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Hey Lance, just assembled an 88 s/c from alot of pieces and noticed that even down here in the warm climates my ride (untouched engine) needs lots of warmup time. (this car sat along 13 yrs in storage too) The 88 temp gauage is 1/4 way left of center on the dash gauge all the time. Then consider the 89 s/c racecar, immediate warmup, with guage locating straight up and down. this racecar has had alot of Thermo changes due to Xmas drives to snowny Detroit. Not sure what's in there now really. My 87 drag car had fan relay problems when only 1 of 2 fans wouldn't work. Heat gauge went wacko. I could not detect the 2nd fan wssn't working w/o a/c on. When you key up the car do the front fans or side engine vent fan start up first? Have you seen them all work. Then w and w/o A/c on? Keep an eye on all those intake-supercharger air hoses, even a tiny loose clamp will produce unusual symptoms in this engine.. Hey, do you drive this car in the snow? Happy Motoring mr2tim

05-24-2008, 06:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
bspecmr2 7 mk1s since 2002. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Smog Nazi Land Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	lrsm2, what you are describing as hesitation while cold may have a few culprits. When bringing a car back to life after sitting for so long I'd start with an extensive tuneup. Siphon out all the old gas that may be in the gas tank. Replace the fuel filter. Get a new set of spark plugs (ngk copper, champion copper), plug wires (i only trust a set from toyota), distributor cap and rotor. New air filter. Another thing that may affect rough cold throttle response is plugged up injectors and cold start injector. A complete fluid exchange would be on my list of priorities as well (oil, transmission fluid and coolant) If you have a faulty sensor, a check engine light and a code will likely appear. An Oxygen sensor may not throw a constant check engine code, but may be faulty as well thus reducing the peppiness of the engine. While replacing all coolant, I would opt in for a new thermostat and radiator cap. If all those things have been addressed and the vehicle still acts up, it should be timed (cam/crank timing), but that does not seem necessary, given that throttle response improves once it's warmed up. oh .. and definitely look at the supercharger oil level and add if necessary. SC oil is available from toyota (expensive) and from Ford (half price if not less)