This is my first post on this forum. I'm in the ARMY at Ft Bragg, NC. Nice to meet you all :)

About 2 years ago I drove a Toyota Tercel with a slight engine seal leak.

One morning I fell asleep in my car and when I woke up about 20 minutes later the engine sounded a lot louder... I killed the engine, went and did my physical training, came back and checked the oil and it was rather low, but still on the stick. I added 2 quarts to bring it up to a good level and it ran fine for the rest of the day. That evening I was leaving work, and I started to stall when I came to a stop at a light from a good 60mph drive.. I managed to keep it running and get it up to 60 again before the car shuddered, slowed down, then stalled totally, and left me stranded. I deployed soon after and the car has been dry-rotting in my yard for probably the last 2 years. I tried working on it between my last two deployments... I found that I had spark, and had fuel into the cylinders, so I was perplexed as to why it wouldn't start.

I bought a little jumper to go on my diag port, so that I could read my ODB codes... but alas, I discovered that I don't have a check engine light?!

So I got back from the last deployment in Feb and I finally have some time.. I have decided that this is the month that I will fix the Tercel. Hopefully the weekend even!

I have been tinkering with the car and it has even fired some, enough to get the exhaust manifold very hot... but it won't keep firing.. I just have to keep cranking. I suspect either my timing or my ECU..

My first problem is... How on earth do I not have a check engine light?

Second, how do I get this little sweetie running again?!

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Just by tinkering and adding some heet and a new battery I've got the car to the point where it will putter a little bit but the longest it has stayed running was about 20 seconds, and I had to keep the pedal to the floor to keep it running.

the only way I can get it to turn over and actually catch is if I floor the gas and keep it there. normally it stutters for about 6 seconds and then dies.

Changed the oil, had gas in the oil. Either from long cranking in the past or possibly a stuck float or something in the carb flooding the engine. Pulled the carb and opened the bowl but that's as far as I go tonight.


Actually had the thing running for about 30 seconds earlier,, even accelerating a little -etc, but couldn't get it to just keep running. Still need to do a compression test on the cylinders but I don't have the time or the tools ...or the money to get the tools.

Compression tested the cylinders and I had about 100psi on each. Is that ok for this engine?

The compression check was a good idea. There is a technique to get valid readings. Most guage packages will have the instructions, but basically, you must treat each cyl the same. That means x number of compression cycles and all within relatively same battery strength.

100 psi is not great. Things usually fail a cyl or two at a time and I would expect variation between them. Pressure should top out at 50% more after only a few compression strokes. Hot wire it or have someone crank for you so you can count and watch the guage.

Something may have gotten hot and damaged the engine. Your description gives me that 'burnt' feeling.

I just signed up. It's been a few days since your posts. What's up now?

It's good to finally hear from someone.

I have my carb in a bucket of degreaser. Unfortunately it's still mostly intact. about 75 percent of the screws are STUCK. I am thinking of trying to find some freeze-off or something to try to get them out. However, I did see a carb on ebay, removed from a running engine. I am thinking about grabbing it to save myself the trouble with this carb.

I tested all 4 cylinders in the same way, and they all acted about the same. However, it took about 4-6 strokes to get up to that pressure, and more cranks didn't bring it any higher.

SGT,
Sounds to me like you may have had a jump on your timing belt.
I'm no Toyota tech, but this could explain fuel in the oil, low compression on all cylinders, and the fact that it just doesn't want to run.
Have you checked that?

I inspected the belt and it's in good shape, however, I don't know much about timing.

I just pretty much ruined the carb by leaving it in degreaser out in the hot sun for over a week. Every piece of plastic just crumbled between my fingers.

I am not sure if I will pursue fixing this car or not... The price of a replacement carb is outrageous and I am VERY short on money right now as I try to get out of the military.

I would like to hear from someone whether they think 100PSI is a reasonable (and by reasonable I mean should I sell the car for salvage) dry compression test result. I also want to know if everyone agrees that I should purchase a leak down tester to pressure test my radiator.


John

I read elsewhere that compression on this motor should be around 160 psi. I thinkk 100 is low, which lead me to ask about the timing. If timing is off, valves will be open/partially open when the cylinder is up.
As far as parts, check Craigs List for used parts, or a local bone yard. They may have a carb for way less than a parts store.

Are there any good DIY resources or guides for setting/checking the timing on this car? Should it be ok to do with the carb off?

For about $20 you should be able to pick up a repair manual for it at a parts store.
I haven't bought one for mine yet, as I've been able to figure my own issues out.
Yes, you should be able to set the timing with out the carb. You'll be able to get it close, or see how bad it is anyway.

A repair manual will probably help you alot. A actual factory manual will probably supply the most but will probably be ridicuously priced if you can find won. Most auto parts stores will probably have a chilton's repair manual for your car. I got one for a 1982 tercel at Napa.

Timing -
I've never checked timing w/o the engine running. You will probably have to disconnect a wire or vacuum hose to check the timing. I'm betting a wire needs so be disconnected since your car probably has a computer.

A timing light will cost between $20 and $40.

Your biggest problem is going to be getting another carb.

fuel filter? Maybe you aren't getting enuf fuel. not sure.

Hey Copperhead, I have an 81 and if you can get your hands on the Robert Bentley manual, it runs circles round the Chiltons. I have seen them on Ebay from time to time.

I have had the Hayne's manual since I got the car. I think it's a pretty sorry manual personally. If I hadn't already put so much into this car to no gain... i'd look for a different manual. I am not sure if it's worth my money to get a carb unless I can find one at a boneyard. Otherwise I might consider parting it out or getting someone to help me haul it to a salvage yard and see if I can get a couple hundred for it.