Silvertop tune up continues

[IkoIKo]

Can you get me a quote for a fuel pump regulator for a silvertop?
I've replaced the cap, rotor, plugs and wires. Checked the timing and it's still running rich - you can smell it when it idles.
If the regulator isn't too much I'll throw it at the engine at see if it helps...
Thanks,
Ken

[te51levin]

Here's where I get to second-guess you, not be cause I like to stir things up, but because a lot of part requests turn out to be a search for something that is either unnecessary or unavailable.

So, with that said, I have to ask - have you actually measured fuel pressure and found it to be excessive, or are you assuming that the regulator is the root of the problem? I ask because regulators are pretty reliable, and because a stinky-rich condition can be caused by a variety of things including exhaust leaks, dirty fuel injectors, a lazy or dead oxygen sensor, or any number of electrical faults such as loose or dirty connectors, broken wires, etc. Also, any time the ECU is reset, it will take some time to learn and adjust its fuel tables based on feedback it gets from the o2 sensor. That means the engine won't run as well after an ECU reset as it will after it has been driven for a while and given a chance to adjust.

Unfortunately, the 20V fuel pressure regulator is not a part that Toyota makes available to US dealers, which makes it extra important to test it before trying to replace it. The best option if you do find it to be faulty is to take it to a wrecking yard and try to match it up with one from a common US-market car.

I know that's sort of answering a question you didn't ask, but hopefully it will help some anyway...?

[mr220v]

Most 7/4afe regulators can be made to work. The return pipe is bent at a different angle.

[IkoIKo]

I don't have a fuel pressure gauge, I figured if the part wasn't expensive, or at least easy to get, I'd throw that at the problem instead of buying a new tool I'll use once.
I replaced the O2 sensor and checked the timing. I'm not sure the timing is accurate though, I just stuck the timing light on and looked without jumping any terminals on the distributor.
I pulled the air box off and found that behind the butterflies in the throttles is black, really black. So I figured that is was an excessive fuel kinda thing.
If I can find my compression gauge that's the next thing I need to check. Any other ideas?
Maybe I'll make a run to the wrecking yard this weekend and see if I can find a regulator off of a 7/4afe.

Thanks for the information,
Ken

[te51levin]

Originally Posted by IkoIKo

I don't have a fuel pressure gauge, I figured if the part wasn't expensive, or at least easy to get, I'd throw that at the problem instead of buying a new tool I'll use once.

While I can't say I've never done the same thing, I will offer that I try hard not to do it anymore. I've been sufficiently frustrated by the poor results and high cost of the shotgun approach that I now strongly believe in diagnosis and analysis.

Perhaps a local parts store has a tool loan or rental program you can take advantage of? If not, let that test slide, and concentrate on the other issues first. And remember, the ECU will need an hour or two of drive time to self-tune itself, so it may well be a little off until it has had time to tweak its fuel tables.

Originally Posted by IkoIKo

I replaced the O2 sensor and checked the timing. I'm not sure the timing is accurate though, I just stuck the timing light on and looked without jumping any terminals on the distributor.

That's not much use, I'm afraid. You really have to have the jumper in place to get or do anything worthwhile.

Originally Posted by IkoIKo

I pulled the air box off and found that behind the butterflies in the throttles is black, really black. So I figured that is was an excessive fuel kinda thing.

Not really. All engines seem to do that, even when the fuel is injected two feet downstream of he throttle blade. Besides which, there's no combustion in the intake manifold, so any fuel present there would be raw gasoline, which would wash the throttles, not stain them black with soot. The soot is from oil vapor, which comes from the crankcase.

Originally Posted by IkoIKo

If I can find my compression gauge that's the next thing I need to check. Any other ideas?

I'd look at the other things I listed before worrying about compression.

Originally Posted by IkoIKo

Maybe I'll make a run to the wrecking yard this weekend and see if I can find a regulator off of a 7/4afe.

Good to know there is some combatibility there. Thanks to mr220v for jumping in again with some useful info!

[GoBoGo]

Originally Posted by IkoIKo

Can you get me a quote for a fuel pump regulator for a silvertop?
I've replaced the cap, rotor, plugs and wires. Checked the timing and it's still running rich - you can smell it when it idles.
If the regulator isn't too much I'll throw it at the engine at see if it helps...
Thanks,
Ken

I may be able to help you with that i seen a couple of silvertops at the junk yard here if you tell me where this part is located i could go take it off for you i wouldn't charge you anything but the price of the part and the exact amount of shipping. i would include the receipts too. just trying to help. let me know

[IkoIKo]

Originally Posted by te51levin

While I can't say I've never done the same thing, I will offer that I try hard not to do it anymore. I've been sufficiently frustrated by the poor results and high cost of the shotgun approach that I now strongly believe in diagnosis and analysis.

Perhaps a local parts store has a tool loan or rental program you can take advantage of? If not, let that test slide, and concentrate on the other issues first. And remember, the ECU will need an hour or two of drive time to self-tune itself, so it may well be a little off until it has had time to tweak its fuel tables.

I didn't realize it would take an hour or two of drive time. Guess I need to go on a drive...

That's not much use, I'm afraid. You really have to have the jumper in place to get or do anything worthwhile.

I can't find which ones to jumper, am I an idiot...? (You don't have to answer that.)

Not really. All engines seem to do that, even when the fuel is injected two feet downstream of he throttle blade. Besides which, there's no combustion in the intake manifold, so any fuel present there would be raw gasoline, which would wash the throttles, not stain them black with soot. The soot is from oil vapor, which comes from the crankcase.

I'd look at the other things I listed before worrying about compression.


Good to know there is some combatibility there. Thanks to mr220v for jumping in again with some useful info![/quote]

[IkoIKo]

Originally Posted by GoBoGo

I may be able to help you with that i seen a couple of silvertops at the junk yard here if you tell me where this part is located i could go take it off for you i wouldn't charge you anything but the price of the part and the exact amount of shipping. i would include the receipts too. just trying to help. let me know

Wow! thanks for the offer. Since it's not available here in the US I might as well have one as a spare. It's near the top of the front of the engine. I'll take a picture when I get home tonight.

Didn't get home till after dark.
I'll PM you the info in a day or two.

[GoBoGo]

Originally Posted by IkoIKo

Wow! thanks for the offer. Since it's not available here in the US I might as well have one as a spare. It's near the top of the front of the engine. I'll take a picture when I get home tonight.

Didn't get home till after dark.
I'll PM you the info in a day or two.

Ok then the sooner the better if you could give it to me by tomorrow i will be able to take it out this saturday and ship it aswell.