Sorry if you have seen this before - still trying to get a handle on posting.


Hello, I am new and I beg your help. The local Toyota people cannot find the problem.

My 1988 Toyota 5 speed manual truck has a rebuilt 22R in it from about three years ago and on that engine I put about 8000 mile while the truck has 108,000 miles. Overall it runs very well until two and a half weeks ago. I leave in the mornings for work when the sun is just coming up. I warm up the engine for a minimum of five minutes and drive. A block from the house is an incline. I go up in second gear as it is short but somewhat steep. I must go up this hill or I do not go to work. Half way up the hill the truck loses power for about two seconds, sputters and either dies or kicks in again and I drive off. It has continued to start well on a regular basis. A block and a half later I have to go up another hill that is four blocks long. I go through the same thing three or four more times and then the engine runs fine after that. After work the engine runs fine. If I need to drive it at night it runs even worse and less steep inclines but always fine in the daytime. This is probably why Toyota cannot determine the problem - it does not occur during their working hours. They did do a full diagnostic, checked the clutch and transmission. They adjusted the throttle cable and boosted the idle slightly but to no avail. I use premium fuel at Costco (Toyota people say that locally this is good fuel).

Does anyone have any suggestions or answers?

Thanks so much.

The float may be sticking or the pickup in the tank might be getting trash in it.. Thats all I've got LOL..

Thanks, fro your response. I needed another tank of gas and instead of Costco premium I got Chevron premium and the problem disappeared. Of course, that does not mean it wont come back.