having trouble getting her started

SAmr2 · 09-11-2007, 02:40 AM

hey guys, just bought an '88 mr2 NA for cheap but it doesnt run due to sitting for about 1-2 years. i want to know if you guys have any tips on getting it started. i think it has to do with the fuel delivery, the starter cranks real strong and i can even get it running for a moment on starter fluid. i have been trying to change the fuel filter out but the lower bolt WILL NOT BUDGE! any tips on this? or do i just have to invest in power tools? also, does anyone have a comprehensive write up on dropping the tank and changing the fuel pump? does anyone know what fuses to check? thank you so much for any answers to these questions, as i am looking forward to getting this classic back on the road
-Taylor Cook

Sam1 · 09-11-2007, 06:46 PM

soak those banjo bolts with wd 40 and try using a breaker bar and getting the bottom bolt from under the car(jack it up)

senn · 09-11-2007, 07:59 PM

dunno if u have done any of this stuff already.

Change the plugs.

change the oil + filter.

check the rotor + distributor cap for any corrosion etc (since it's been sitting for a while.)

take the fuel line (post pump) off and see if its working

i'd probably drop the fuel out of the tank + lines, make sure the tank isn't corroded to bollocks and refill it...

I don't actually know how to do this stuff, it's just things i'd be doing if i had a car that had been sitting for a while...probably munch the rings anyway when it starts :/

(i've had a couple drinks, sorry)

i'm not sure exactly how to "check" that the ignition coil is working, perhaps one of our more enlightened members can tell you....

SAmr2 · 09-12-2007, 12:32 AM

thanks for the input, i'm pretty sure the ignition system is in fairly good working order as it ran for a short time on starter fluid (im assuming until it was all burnt up) i think its just not getting the fuel to keep going. ive already done the plugs and wires, changed battery terminals and cleaned the engine a bit in general. i will try the wd-40 (although ive already tried liquid wrench) and breaker bar when i get time, im sure it will help to attack the filter from beneath
thanks for the help guys, any additional opinions are welcome as well
-Taylor

Adam · 03-24-2008, 10:48 PM

I'm in the same boat. I got my MK1 last week. It's been sitting for 3 years! Did you get yours running? If so what all did you do?

trforfun · 03-25-2008, 11:11 AM

I would check everything you can before you decide to remove the fuel tank--it's a pretty involved job (not hard but something you don't want to do unless it's obvious that this is where the problem lies).

You can check the cold start injector and make sure it's getting power. Then you can pull this injector out and, with a small container under it, have someone crank the engine for a second or two. If fuel comes out it means your fuel pump is working.

Definitely change the oil/filter, check the air filter, check the "valley" between the valve covers and make sure it is not full of water, oil, etc. If there's oil or water in there, if you remove a plug, this liquid will run down into that cylinder and cause major problems. You could also make sure the timing is set properly.

It might be a good idea to pump out as much of the old gas as you can--gas does not age well.

Good luck, keep us posted. I've had my 85 for a year and have become very attached to it. I'm trying to pass emissions here in Oregon now so have my own problem to solve.

SAmr2 · 03-25-2008, 11:18 AM

hey it ended up being my fuel pump, and really bad gas. although i did just about all the other things first... i replaced spark plugs and wires, air filter and fuel filter, checked various things. i only had about 1/2 a gallon of gas and filled the tank up with fresh gas but it still didnt work. i dropped the tank (really isnt hard but very frustrating) and replaced the fuel pump. although i did run my other car on the gas (stupid idea cause it ran like crap for days and i only put a gallon of the "mostly fresh" gas in) got everything back together and it started right up... been running like a champ ever since

SAmr2 · 03-25-2008, 11:19 AM

you might want to start by draining gas through the convenient bottom plug and putting all fresh stuff in (unless it looks like more rust than gas is coming out)

09-11-2007, 02:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
SAmr2 No Skills Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 20 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	having trouble getting her started hey guys, just bought an '88 mr2 NA for cheap but it doesnt run due to sitting for about 1-2 years. i want to know if you guys have any tips on getting it started. i think it has to do with the fuel delivery, the starter cranks real strong and i can even get it running for a moment on starter fluid. i have been trying to change the fuel filter out but the lower bolt WILL NOT BUDGE! any tips on this? or do i just have to invest in power tools? also, does anyone have a comprehensive write up on dropping the tank and changing the fuel pump? does anyone know what fuses to check? thank you so much for any answers to these questions, as i am looking forward to getting this classic back on the road -Taylor Cook

03-25-2008, 11:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
trforfun Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 101 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	A couple of things to do... I would check everything you can before you decide to remove the fuel tank--it's a pretty involved job (not hard but something you don't want to do unless it's obvious that this is where the problem lies). You can check the cold start injector and make sure it's getting power. Then you can pull this injector out and, with a small container under it, have someone crank the engine for a second or two. If fuel comes out it means your fuel pump is working. Definitely change the oil/filter, check the air filter, check the "valley" between the valve covers and make sure it is not full of water, oil, etc. If there's oil or water in there, if you remove a plug, this liquid will run down into that cylinder and cause major problems. You could also make sure the timing is set properly. It might be a good idea to pump out as much of the old gas as you can--gas does not age well. Good luck, keep us posted. I've had my 85 for a year and have become very attached to it. I'm trying to pass emissions here in Oregon now so have my own problem to solve.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-11-2007, 06:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sam1 Some Skills Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 76 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	soak those banjo bolts with wd 40 and try using a breaker bar and getting the bottom bolt from under the car(jack it up)

09-11-2007, 07:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
senn AW11 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 96 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	dunno if u have done any of this stuff already. Change the plugs. change the oil + filter. check the rotor + distributor cap for any corrosion etc (since it's been sitting for a while.) take the fuel line (post pump) off and see if its working i'd probably drop the fuel out of the tank + lines, make sure the tank isn't corroded to bollocks and refill it... I don't actually know how to do this stuff, it's just things i'd be doing if i had a car that had been sitting for a while...probably munch the rings anyway when it starts :/ (i've had a couple drinks, sorry) i'm not sure exactly how to "check" that the ignition coil is working, perhaps one of our more enlightened members can tell you....

09-12-2007, 12:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
SAmr2 No Skills Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 20 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	thanks for the input, i'm pretty sure the ignition system is in fairly good working order as it ran for a short time on starter fluid (im assuming until it was all burnt up) i think its just not getting the fuel to keep going. ive already done the plugs and wires, changed battery terminals and cleaned the engine a bit in general. i will try the wd-40 (although ive already tried liquid wrench) and breaker bar when i get time, im sure it will help to attack the filter from beneath thanks for the help guys, any additional opinions are welcome as well -Taylor

03-24-2008, 10:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Adam My drift car is a 240sx Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I'm in the same boat. I got my MK1 last week. It's been sitting for 3 years! Did you get yours running? If so what all did you do?

03-25-2008, 11:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
SAmr2 No Skills Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 20 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	hey it ended up being my fuel pump, and really bad gas. although i did just about all the other things first... i replaced spark plugs and wires, air filter and fuel filter, checked various things. i only had about 1/2 a gallon of gas and filled the tank up with fresh gas but it still didnt work. i dropped the tank (really isnt hard but very frustrating) and replaced the fuel pump. although i did run my other car on the gas (stupid idea cause it ran like crap for days and i only put a gallon of the "mostly fresh" gas in) got everything back together and it started right up... been running like a champ ever since

03-25-2008, 11:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
SAmr2 No Skills Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 20 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	you might want to start by draining gas through the convenient bottom plug and putting all fresh stuff in (unless it looks like more rust than gas is coming out)