My 86 DLX has trouble starting. Gas pedal floored to start

[obe1]

Hi everyone.
I'm a newbie. I purchased my 86 DLX 2 months ago. It was in the for sale section here. I realize now I paid too much, and have paid a good mechanic here lots of money to get it decently running after it starts. Once it starts, it runs like a champ. Here is the link to my car when it was for sale. https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15 ... ngs#p56667

Here is the work I had done: all new belts, including timing belt; new clutch; new valve cover gasket; new fuel pump; new major tune up replacing most parts involved; new transmission fluid.

The problem: The car starts okay if it's been sitting for more than a few hours with a pump or 2 of the gas pedal. But if I'm running errands and the car is started after not sitting long, it will turn over, but won't fire up. If I have the gas pedal floored to the floor, it will eventually start after a few seconds. I have no more desire or money to have it looked at it further, cause it runs great once started. I'm not mechanically inclined, but would be willing to learn if anyone out there lives near Colorado Springs. This is my second car, so don't need to drive it much. I love it too much to give it up. It also need front boots and struts, but can do without for now. Any suggestions on what might be wrong is appreciated. I'll post pics soon. The body is in excellent shape, besides paint fade, being a Colorado lifer. I've been reading blogs here since I bought my car, and look forward to becoming a contributing member. Thanks to all.

[dlb]

new clutch! that's a big job. the rest is all pretty minor.

your problem is not uncommon but could be caused by quite a few different things. i would use the factory service manual (aka FSM--the link to it is at the top of each page on the site) to check all the emissions components because most of them have hot and cold settings so something is likely malfunctioning at its hot setting. all the tests are quite simple so it shouldn't take long to do them.

could also be vapor lock but it's probably not hot enough to cause that in colorado right now.

these cars are ridiculously simple to work on so i would recommend getting a decent tool kit (wrenches, ratchets, sockets, screw drivers, some pliers, hammer, vice grips, anti-seize, PB blaster, etc) so you can do simple fixes like this yourself. it will save you a ton of money and it's very satisfying.

[obe1]

Thanks I'll check manual for emission components. Tool kit already have. Gotta dust it off.

[Scout23]

Sounds like the car is acting like it's flooded or maybe the choke isn't resetting properly. I've been having a similar problem with my 86 which I think has been caused by the choke not opening when starting.

[Scout23]

Sounds like the car is acting like it's flooded or maybe the choke isn't resetting properly. I've been having a similar problem with my 86 which I think has been caused by the choke not opening when starting.

[dlb]

the choke is easy to check. disconnect the green plug from the carb near the passenger side strut tower. use a multimeter and check the resistance on the choke lead. look in the FSM so see which one is the choke lead and what the proper resistance is.