FJ60 Running Rough

[Moose]

I recently purchased an early 1985 FJ60 (4spd Manual). The wagon ran like a champ, then I got the bright idea of cleaning the engine and undercarraige at the carwash. As I left the car wash I noticed it was running really rough and jumpy between 1200 and 2000 rpm's. I didn't worry too much, figured some water got into something it shouldn't have and would dry up or circulate through. Well, 8 days later it's still running like poorly. I meticulously replaced all vacuum lines (old ones were pretty brittle), this didn't fix the problem. I did replace the fuel filter, it was pretty dirty anyway. I also double checked the airfilter (looks like new).

I pulled out my Chilton's and was going to check the timing when I realized I don't seem to have a view window to the timing marks on the flywheel. I checked the passenger side and the driver side is sufficiently crowded that it doesn't seem feasible they would be under the manifolds and carburator assembly.

What is the trick to finding timing marks on this wagon?

If it's not the timing, and I don't really think it is, I figured it must be a bad vacuum valve/solenoid for one of the timing or fuel advances.

Anyone have a suggestion on where to begin my search of the vacuum system?

Anyone have any idea what the problem might be at all?

 

[Landpimp]

there is a window on the passanger side, you need to loosen a bolt and move the cover to the side.

 

[Matador98]

I had the same problem after washing. Amazingly, even with the cover on it, the o-ring in good shape, I got water in the distributor. I took the top end apart, dried it, and layed it in the sun for an afternoon. Problem fixed. Your problem has to be electrical. I would pull all your plug wires and replace with fresh di-electric grease, and check for cracked wires from the battery to the ignition coil Maybe water got in your coil? Just my thoughts.

 

[crucible]

Yea, checking for water in the dist is good advice-if the o-ring is in good shape it may be keeping in any water that got in there in the first place.

The timimg mark window is a bugger to find the first time: it's not int he front at all but on the passenger side, all the way in the back near or even beyond the firewall. It's about 1.5 inches rectangular IIRC, got a screw on it, and once loosened, will rotate upwards.

If yours was anything like mine, it will have lots of built-up road gunk covering it, camoflauging it very well. Take a long screwdriver and start poking around the area where the engine mates up with the flywheel-you'll find it eventually.

Chris

 

[Landpimp]

this in on a F motor but a 2F is the same, tilt you head to the left and just to the right of the top of the starter you will see the hole(and flywheel teeth)

 

[Moose]

Excellent Suggestions

I'll look a little harder for the timing window, guess I was expecting it to be a little more visible. Thanks.

I'm pretty sure the distributor is dry but I'll open it up and take a hair dryer to it tomorrow just to be sure.

I'll post again tomorrow morning to see if any of the suggestions work.

Many thanks for the help.

 

[Moose]

Princple of Parsimony

Well, everyone that suggested the electrical system... kudos to you. After simply replacing the coil, plug wires and plugs the FJ60 is running like a champ again. Thanks for your help.

 

[Tinker]

Quote on replacing the coil from the best American car (& dragster) mechanic I've ever met: "It's never the coil".