Questions and Answers

Toyota Tercel Engine Problems Q. Hello, My name is Judy, recently I did a complete overhaul on my 1984 Toyota Tercel. Well, all went okay, I even got to drive it a whole 18 miles, then it started acting like it wasn't getting any gas. I towed it home and since I have not been able to get it started, I have been trying to redo the timing. It sometimes wants to start but it doesn't, then again when I do get it to start it acts like it is starving for gas.

Checking the plugs it looks like it isn't getting gas, then when it acts like it wants to start the plugs are saturated with gas. It is hard to really set the timing, it seems like I can't turn the distributor enough at times to actually get it to work. I have tried everything I could think of and replaced every part that I think could keep it from starting. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Judy

A. It sounds very much like a timing problem to me Judy.

If you had the head off, I think something with the timing belt is fouled up. I would pull the timing belt covers off and start from scratch by setting the base engine timing. Make sure the piston is on TDC of the compression stroke and that the camshaft lobes for number one cylinder are exactly opposite from the rockers. Then see if the timing marks line up and the distributor rotor is on the number one tower of the distributor cap.

Check the tensioner and insure you have the proper timing belt tension when you set it. A little tip, when you have the timing belt all set up, turn the engine clockwise by hand a couple of times and recheck it.

If you had the distributor out, make sure that you reinstalled it correctly. If the belt did slip, I would do a compression test to make sure none of the valves were damaged.

Make sure the belt tension is correct. The belt should push in between the camshaft and crankshaft about a ½" under moderate pressure.