Car will crank but cut offs

[terc4wdclt]

Hi everyone i just became a proud owner of a 1984 Toyota tercel 4wd about a 2 weeks ago the previous owner clean out the gas tank then change the fuel pump and fuel filter in order to get it started then he sold it to me. It was running up until yesterday when it just cut off in the middle of traffic it will crank and run as long you keep your foot on the gas once you let off the gas the engine cuts off i have no idea what the problem is. im not familiar with these cars or carbs for that matter if i cant get it running it might be for sale soon it is my main mode of transportation now that my 86 gts needs a transmission oil pan. if anybody can shed any light on this problem it would be much appreciated thank you very much

[Petros]

could be a bad vacuum leak, common with all the emission control junk on these cars. Do a detailed visual inspection of all the hoses, look for loose hoses (often you find them disconnected), cracks or breaks in the lines.

There are other things too, like the fuel shut off solenoid, but check the vac lines first.

[danzo]

This is exactly what my car did when the fuel cutoff solenoid went bad. It's pretty easy to check via the shop manual. But of course check for vacuum leaks too. Good luck.

Love the '86-89 Celicas as they are relatively light, looked cool (esp the hatchback) and had great engines and interiors. For some odd reason you never see them anymore. Forget the tranny pan - just swap yours over to a 5 speed. I'm just sayin'....

[terc4wdclt]

i was checking the vacuum line and there is a large bolt stuck in one of the line coming off the carb i think it might the fuel cut off solenoid it has been tamper with

[Highlander]

That does look like its one of the cutoff solenoid placements, but why a bolt would cut the fuel flow, I don't know. Check that the connector that comes off of the carb IS tightly plugged together (I managed to leave mine disconnected after rebuilding the carb, and it did just what you are describing ). It would run until the idle dropped below 1200 Rs and then crash.

[terc4wdclt]

no the bolt is farther to the right it is plugging that line coming from the bottom of the carb. The fuel cutoff solenoid on the other side of the carb has been tampered with the wires have been cut then fixed. i will check them both in the morning. where is the best place to get these parts from i was thinking i would go to the Jy tomorrow

[danzo]

I can't see the bolt/vac interrupt in the pics, but the first step is to rectify this. If this makes no improvement, then check the solenoid. Almost any yard would have this, but I may have one laying around. The fact that the existing solenoid wires have been spliced may simply mean that it has been replaced at some time.

[keith]

It looks like the line with the bolt in it is the one that goes to the PCV valve. Not sure why someone would plug that line. Sometimes, if the gas tank or filter was really dirty, the main jet might have some crud in it, but usually they will idle OK, but get rough when you step on the gas.

[ARCHINSTL]

When my car had its Aisan, the PCV tube led to the phenolic insulator under the carb - still does, even with the Weber.
Tom M.

[terc4wdclt]

Ok guys i have check both fuel cutoff solenoid both are working. car will crank no problem just cant get it to stay running unless my foot is on the gas. previous owner clean out the gas tank because it had rust in it and changed the bad fuel pump with an airtek fuel pump replacement. the fuel filter has been changed also but i think that he didnt install the oem fuel pump spacer. I really dont know where to go next im sorry i sound so helpless just trying troubleshoot with people who know about these cars THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYONES HELP

[takza]

I had the same issue a couple of times...turned out to be a vac line loose on the pass side of the carb.

[garyfish]

Looks to me like the vac line with the bolt in it should attach to the underside of the air cleaner... I know when that hose is left unattached (i.e., open), our vehicles run like crap if at all.

Please note: Vacuum leaks in old rubber vac lines can be a problem where they get hot and harden, especially under the air cleaner and close to the engine block and exhaust manifold. It's probably best to just replace all those hoses and then see if anything changes.

[garyfish]

One more thing: If the fuel tank was indeed very rusty when it was cleaned out, perhaps the new fuel filter is already clogged. Might try putting another new one in... definitely a fast and inexpensive fix if it works.

[terc4wdclt]

sounds like a great idea new fuel pump and filter i will give that a try also i will start replacing the vac lines too i will try anything at this point. What does not kill you makes your car stronger.

[ARCHINSTL]

It appears that keith may be correct about the blocked tube being for the PCV valve. Your pix does not show the PCV valve on the front top of the cam cover. Is it there or is the hole plugged?
There is a big tube under the bolt - is this connected to the vent tube at the top rear of the cam cover?
Upon looking at the photo again - it looks like the tube under the bolt curves toward the front - is IT connected to the PCV valve? If it goes to the phenolic plate under the carb and the PCV valve, then that is OK and the tube with the bolt should be connected to the vent at the rear top of the cam cover.
Also check the PCV valve to see if blocked - they are cheap.

The tube that garyfish mentions leads to the HIC valve in the base of the aircleaner - it is a small-diameter tube, unlike the one with the bolt.

Look at the color-coded vac diagram sticky in Repair Guides - if yours is not a CA/Canadian car; if the latter versions, then check the FSM for diagrams.

Make sure you get the OE fuel pump spacer as 4wdchico has mentioned in another recent thread - photo of it is there as well. If it is already mounted, it can be reused.
Tom M.
EDIT: I am embarrassed; my earlier post with the modified photo was totally erroneous. I simply missed the bolt in the tube. I deleted that post. Thanks to all for not laughing at my senescence.