Need Help!

86Mk1 · 01-29-2007, 12:36 AM

My car doesn't run. I need any suggestions you have for me. I think it needs to be static timed. Can anyone help me with that?

ToyotaTechGeek · 01-29-2007, 04:25 PM

wow. holy no information to do anything with, batman!

richw131 · 01-29-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Mk1

My car doesn't run. I need any suggestions you have for me. I think it needs to be static timed. Can anyone help me with that?

You might want to post what you have done/checked, etc so that the board can help you. There are too many possibilities.

86Mk1 · 01-29-2007, 11:00 PM

Thanks for the replies!

I have changed the oil, replaced collant, checked spark plugs, wires, distibutor is held on tightly by a zip-tie, new battery, cleaned throttle body, 1/4 tank premium fuel, removed alternator/water-pump belt (seized alternator). When turning over, engine backfires a few times and then run for a few seconds. Then it just cuts out. If I give it gas upon starting, it revs to 3000rpm and then dies, sometimes dropping to 1000rpm (same throttle position as given for 3000rpm) and then dying.

CpuZapper · 01-30-2007, 04:35 PM

Hmm... sounds like there could be a lot of things wrong then. What do you mean by the dizzy is held on by a zip-tie? That might be part of your problem there.

Here are some pictures of the cam timing marks for setting static timing:

Also, you can line up the farthest left notch on the crank pulley (of the three) and if you pull the oil cap off and look at the intake cam, there should be a little detent in the camshaft and it should be pointing straight up. If it doesn't, rotate the crank one full turn and check again. If it still doesn't show, use the pictures above to set your static cam timing. The distributor is a bit harder.

Once the engine and cams are at top dead center, pull the dizzy out. If you look down at it in the exact same way it was sitting in the head, there should be a divot in the gear, and a notch, or divot on the housing. These need to be lined up, then re-inserted. It takes a lot of trial and error to get it to go in just right, but then you need to time the ignition. Even if it isn't exactly right, it should still start and and least sputter like crazy. Might have to try advancing or retarding the timing to different points till it does start. Here is a writeup on how to set ignition timing: http://www.padandwheels.com/mr2/timing/timing.html

Another thing is that the engine computer needs a good 13+ volts to work correctly. You need to get that alternator replaced. I know that if my alternator dies, or on one occasion the belt broke, my car immediately started running like crap, bucking, backfiring, and generally misbehaving. It takes a lot of power to run all the ignition, fuel, and car electrical systems. As soon as the charging system craps out, voltage drops too low and it all goes bonkers.

86Mk1 · 01-31-2007, 09:30 PM

Thanks. I'll give that a try this weekend.

ToyotaTechGeek · 02-01-2007, 03:33 PM

yeah, if that dizzy is held-on with a zip tie...i would start there.

01-29-2007, 12:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
86Mk1 Need Help! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Need Help! My car doesn't run. I need any suggestions you have for me. I think it needs to be static timed. Can anyone help me with that?

01-29-2007, 11:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
86Mk1 Need Help! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Oops Thanks for the replies! I have changed the oil, replaced collant, checked spark plugs, wires, distibutor is held on tightly by a zip-tie, new battery, cleaned throttle body, 1/4 tank premium fuel, removed alternator/water-pump belt (seized alternator). When turning over, engine backfires a few times and then run for a few seconds. Then it just cuts out. If I give it gas upon starting, it revs to 3000rpm and then dies, sometimes dropping to 1000rpm (same throttle position as given for 3000rpm) and then dying.

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01-29-2007, 04:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
ToyotaTechGeek resident GEEK! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ...boosting mid-corner Posts: 995 Thanks: 14 Thanked 31 Times in 31 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	wow. holy no information to do anything with, batman!

01-30-2007, 04:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
CpuZapper RallyRacer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 482 Thanks: 7 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Hmm... sounds like there could be a lot of things wrong then. What do you mean by the dizzy is held on by a zip-tie? That might be part of your problem there. Here are some pictures of the cam timing marks for setting static timing: Also, you can line up the farthest left notch on the crank pulley (of the three) and if you pull the oil cap off and look at the intake cam, there should be a little detent in the camshaft and it should be pointing straight up. If it doesn't, rotate the crank one full turn and check again. If it still doesn't show, use the pictures above to set your static cam timing. The distributor is a bit harder. Once the engine and cams are at top dead center, pull the dizzy out. If you look down at it in the exact same way it was sitting in the head, there should be a divot in the gear, and a notch, or divot on the housing. These need to be lined up, then re-inserted. It takes a lot of trial and error to get it to go in just right, but then you need to time the ignition. Even if it isn't exactly right, it should still start and and least sputter like crazy. Might have to try advancing or retarding the timing to different points till it does start. Here is a writeup on how to set ignition timing: http://www.padandwheels.com/mr2/timing/timing.html Another thing is that the engine computer needs a good 13+ volts to work correctly. You need to get that alternator replaced. I know that if my alternator dies, or on one occasion the belt broke, my car immediately started running like crap, bucking, backfiring, and generally misbehaving. It takes a lot of power to run all the ignition, fuel, and car electrical systems. As soon as the charging system craps out, voltage drops too low and it all goes bonkers.

01-31-2007, 09:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
86Mk1 Need Help! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks. I'll give that a try this weekend.

02-01-2007, 03:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
ToyotaTechGeek resident GEEK! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ...boosting mid-corner Posts: 995 Thanks: 14 Thanked 31 Times in 31 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	yeah, if that dizzy is held-on with a zip tie...i would start there.