Here's my situation:
I have an '85 FJ60 Landcruiser with stock 2F engine. I'm in Tempe going to ASU but live permanently in a county that doesn't require emissions. About a year ago, a mechanic told me the catalytic converter was partially clogged and I just had him take it out. It ran just fine after that.
About a month ago, I had the stock power steering pump replaced with a Saginaw unit. I had the stock smog pump removed at this time. IMMEDIATELY after this, I started having problems. When cold, the engine sputtered and stumbled and almost wouldn't idle. My mechanic looked at it and said there was a loose vacuum line, which he reattached. That helped a little, but not much. The exhaust smells horrible, like a go-cart. It won't start at all in the mornings now but will start right up in the afternoon. When I accelerate in lower gears, it sometimes POURS dense smoke out the tail pipe. If I can manage to get it started in the morning (which I haven't been able to do the past three mornings), there is sometimes a knocking noise around the engine. This soon goes away.
I am not a mechanically savvy person at all. I think these symptoms may be associated with the smog system because they started as soon as the smog pump came off. I've had it into two mechanics, who basically say "there's nothing really wrong with it. It's just old". They seem to think that it's just a coincidence that this started when the smog pump came off.
Those of you who have experience with 2Fs in general and de-smogging them in particular, I have the following questions:
1. Do you think these issues are realistically fixable by desmogging the engine?
2. Are any of you experienced with desmogging a 2F successfully and feel that you could do it again?
3. I have to be in the field all next week and am taking an ASU truck, leaving my FJ60 here. Of those who answered "yes" to question 2 above, would you consider desmogging my truck next week (or starting next week)?
4. Of those who answered "yes" to question 3, what would you charge me to get this done?
If the symptoms don't sound like something that a desmog would fix, please let me know. I love the truck, but have to start thinking about a Plan B.
Thanks in advance,
Will
I have an '85 FJ60 Landcruiser with stock 2F engine. I'm in Tempe going to ASU but live permanently in a county that doesn't require emissions. About a year ago, a mechanic told me the catalytic converter was partially clogged and I just had him take it out. It ran just fine after that.
About a month ago, I had the stock power steering pump replaced with a Saginaw unit. I had the stock smog pump removed at this time. IMMEDIATELY after this, I started having problems. When cold, the engine sputtered and stumbled and almost wouldn't idle. My mechanic looked at it and said there was a loose vacuum line, which he reattached. That helped a little, but not much. The exhaust smells horrible, like a go-cart. It won't start at all in the mornings now but will start right up in the afternoon. When I accelerate in lower gears, it sometimes POURS dense smoke out the tail pipe. If I can manage to get it started in the morning (which I haven't been able to do the past three mornings), there is sometimes a knocking noise around the engine. This soon goes away.
I am not a mechanically savvy person at all. I think these symptoms may be associated with the smog system because they started as soon as the smog pump came off. I've had it into two mechanics, who basically say "there's nothing really wrong with it. It's just old". They seem to think that it's just a coincidence that this started when the smog pump came off.
Those of you who have experience with 2Fs in general and de-smogging them in particular, I have the following questions:
1. Do you think these issues are realistically fixable by desmogging the engine?
2. Are any of you experienced with desmogging a 2F successfully and feel that you could do it again?
3. I have to be in the field all next week and am taking an ASU truck, leaving my FJ60 here. Of those who answered "yes" to question 2 above, would you consider desmogging my truck next week (or starting next week)?
4. Of those who answered "yes" to question 3, what would you charge me to get this done?
If the symptoms don't sound like something that a desmog would fix, please let me know. I love the truck, but have to start thinking about a Plan B.
Thanks in advance,
Will
