FJ60 Dies Going Uphill

[stoshzack]

Hi All -

Had a recent problem with my stock '87 dying out going up a gradual hill. I saw a couple other posts (can't seem to find them now) where other owners had the same issue. I think the consensus to solve the issue was to use ethanol free gas with higher octane. Just wondering if this fixed the issues for those that were affected?

Thanks

 

[3_puppies]

what are the symptoms? dying out can mean different things to different people.
do you need to drop down to first gear? losing RPM? coughs and sputters? backfires? water temp rises?

 

[fjdemon]

^^^^^ like 3_puppies asked. Just random based on "dying" and mentioning fuel. Dying out as in in running out of fuel might be a float level in the carb not being adjusted correctly. Going up hill uses more fuel and it's starving because float is not set high enough.

Post up more specifics.

 

[stoshzack]

Thanks for the replies. It loses rpm and completely dies; even when I down shifted. I was able to coast to a turn off. It started back up after a couple tries. I opened up the carb bolts (to the jets) to drain the bowl of any debris. I did not seen any. I recently rebuilt the carb and set the float height to spec (that doesn't mean it is right!). I also replaced EGR valve and modulator. I need to go back out and run it up the same hill to see if any of those things fixed it. It is just a little scary to have your vehicle completely shut down. Wish I could simulate it in a safer environment.

 

[stoshzack]

Also - no backfires or spike in water temp. It just kind of lost power...and shut down.

 

[fjdemon]

If it's only doing it under load while going up hill, to me, it sounds like it's starving for fuel. I'd triple check that float level.

 

[TexasBlue]

Replace fuel filter..

 

[stoshzack]

Fuel filter is brand new. Fuel pump is aftermaket, but I have a new OEM I was going to install. Wonder if that might be an issue?

 

[fjdemon]

I was going to say to check your fuel pressure too, but got side tracked.

 

[TexasBlue]

Some one on here has had fuel issues and it was related to fuel pump. Chk pressure. Pump may be at issue.

 

[rhah]

Just did a 3b swap and had the same problem. No power and would die going forward up a hill.

Turned around and would back up the hill no problem.

Switched fuel lines around at the fire wall and problem was solved.

It shouldn't have made a difference but it did, now has me wondering if this is a landcruiser thing and not just my swap issue

 

[kylenine]

Just did a 3b swap and had the same problem. No power and would die going forward up a hill.

Turned around and would back up the hill no problem.

Switched fuel lines around at the fire wall and problem was solved.

It shouldn't have made a difference but it did, now has me wondering if this is a landcruiser thing and not just my swap issue

I was starting to think I was crazy! I am having the same problem as stoshzack. I can drive my 60 on flat ground all day but when I go up a hill (forwards) it will give a few last bursts of energy and then turn off. I assumed it was the float so I turned her around and went up backwards no problem.

When you say you switched fuel lines around at the firewall, what do you mean?

I am trying to avoid breaking open the carb, I am very familiar with small engine carbs but this one has me scared. How easy is it to adjust/check the float position?

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I was starting to think I was crazy! I am having the same problem as stoshzack. I can drive my 60 on flat ground all day but when I go up a hill (forwards) it will give a few last bursts of energy and then turn off. I assumed it was the float so I turned her around and went up backwards no problem.

When you say you switched fuel lines around at the firewall, what do you mean?

I am trying to avoid breaking open the carb, I am very familiar with small engine carbs but this one has me scared. How easy is it to adjust/check the float position?

You’d have to pull the top section off the carb (it’s called the air horn). To adjust the float you need to play w/ to parts where it hooks in. Not the ‘easiest’ chore. Often it might take a number of times taking it apart and back together to get it right.

Try an Okie Rebuild. Could be you e got a speck of gunk in a jet. Or could be your fuel pickup in the tank, I believe that’s another thing that can cause that too.
Add a new fuel filter first and foremost... cheap and easy intial attempt to remedy that as well. If it’s clugged up you won’t get great fuel flow.

 

[Dodobo]

I had what sound like the exact same symptoms - she drove perfectly well around town and running up short hills but on long grades I'd lose power and she would eventually cut out entirely. I replaced fuel pump with aftermarket and nothing changed, then tried just about everything I could think of to no avail and finally decided to try an OEM fuel pump. Haven't had any problems since.

 

[boltup]

Do you have problems achieving freeway speeds? My 60 was bogging going uphill and couldn't get up to speed on the freeway. Ended up being a clogged catalytic converter.

 

[kylenine]

Thank you all for your replies. I replaced the fuel filter and took it for a test drive. Went about 3 miles both up and down hill no problems. That was yesterday. Today I went to drive it again and the first hill I went up, it gave a few last bursts of energy like it always has and turned off. Leads me to think that I have really dirty gas that is clogging up the filter fast? Looks clean to me but should I drain the tank just to be sure?

I thought mine had a mechanical fuel pump on the motor somewhere. Are they in the fuel tank or in the engine bay somewhere?

My catalytic converter has a hole in it but I dont think it is clogged. Any way to test thtat?

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Fuel pump is on the passenger side of the block, down low below the alt. Many threads on it if you just search. If you replace it, don’t toss a 1/4” black spacer that might come off w/ the pump. Or if it stays on the block and seems really tight, leave it be. It helps position the pumps actuating arm to the cam lobe.

And if your cat has a hole in it then it’s compromised. Replace it cuz it can’t do its job w/ a hole in it. Some say they can put their hands on it and shake it and if they get a rattle then they know it’s toast. But it’s not as easy as that to shift it.

 

[morganism]

Do an Okie Overhaul, clamp your hand around airhorn, choking truck till it stalls. Will force fuel in passages to blow back thru jets. Now pull off sight glass on front of carb, (with rags n container under it) and blow out bowl w carb cleaner. Swap lines on charcoal cannister for good measure.

 

[lel]

I had similar problem,
Check your vacuum.
My intake as are many was cracked. Welded and problem solved.