Help!!! What Has Happened???

[Tinker]

KPT -
What I was really saying is to not assume anything: check out everything mechanically. I never thought I'd meet someone who would deliberately damage my vehicle, but I did. He'd worked for me for 5 years, was very talanted, but was a consummate liar.

If you figure out it was something your employee did deliberately or just stupidly, confront him with the evidence. If he denies it, fire him in front of all your employees.

A public hanging is sure to lift the spirits of the crowd - it did at my shop (I later learned about all the other things he did & kept from me).

 

[dogboy2]

I'm not clear on the onset of these symptoms: was it ONLY after your employee drove the rig, or has it gradually been getting worse over time and it just seemed to be worse after your employee drove it?

Reason I ask, is that the heavy carbon fouling on your plugs does as others have suggested, relate to a running rich condition. This accounts for the black smoke, hard start, poor running condition, etc... Usually this isn't something that "just happens suddenly" -- there will be indicators over time that you are in need of adjustment somewhere. It 's the suddeness of your situation that is throwing me....

There are many variables in this: carb, vacuum lines, choke (i.e. carb), ignition, valve adjustment, dirty air filter..... Here's the fail-safe approach, working on the process of elimination:
1) start with a complete Toyota FSM engine tune-up, including a valve adjustment - do this first and establish a base to work from
2) check your ignition system for proper spark
3) check condition of all of your vacuum lines and ensure they are properly routed
4) if the above doesn't cure or improve the condition, rebuild the carb

A full tune will adress many of the probable causes, and you might check to see if the plug wires are routed correctly. Misrouted plug wires will still allow the vehicle to start, but man will it run like crap. At first glance under the hood, this won't be obvious, and is an easy prank to pull off undetected.

The noise from your drivetrain and the run rich condition of the engine are two separate issues. Without knowing more, my hunch is that you are hearing a bad bearing on the ouput shaft in your t-case. Might check this out...

HTH,
-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[kptfj60]

Thanks for the help!
Fist answer is that there was no re-fueling involved, infact this didn't occur until half way through the current tank of gas.
Next-I had the truck totally overhauled about a year ago by cruiser solutions, a very good outfit. When I got it back it ran at about 90%. Upon talking with thte shop we came to the conclusion that the 245,000 mile cam was worn enough that we couldn't reach 100%. Anyway, the truck has been running a bit rougher than the day I got it back but was still running at what I would call about 80%. I purchased a rebuilt carb and from the looks of things it was a quality rebuild. In fact it has been running great for a long time.
I too am very baffled by the sudden onset. But it really was a sudden onset. I drove to work that morning just the same as every other morning and everything was fine. It wasn't until the employee drove it that it became undriveable. I only suspect him because he is a real bone head and is known as a really bad driver. Leadfoot, erratic driving style, etc. (yes I know, I'm the bonehead for letting him drive it!!) He does stupid things like slams his truck (pos jeep cherokee) into 4 everytime he gets onto our dirt road, etc.
Anyway, I think that the problem is a rich running carb, as well as a slight bit of timing. If you drive something really hard could it damage the carb & timing?
So, I've posted another thread about carb adjustment. I think I can get it licked with a little adjustment advice. Thanks everyone!

 

[Zack1978]

Even if the guy is a total ass, I don't think he could have done that much to F'up your 60. They are tough trucks in general, so even if he driving bad..........


Zack

 

[kptfj60]

Yes, that's really my thought in the end.

 

[billmc]

Yes, that's really my thought in the end.

Unless, when he couldn't start it he adjusted your carb for you.

 

[kptfj60]

Well- He is that much of a bonehead. But he's also enough of a bonehead to not even know it is carbeurated. See, here's the deal. The weather has just started to get warm enough so that I don't need the chole to get started. However, this morning it would have been needed. When he told me that it wouldn't start for him I asked, did you use the choke? He said with a very dumb look on his face what choke? I've never driven anything eith a choke on. The only way that I think he could have contributed to anything was if there was any way that just keeping the engine cranking & various gas pedal pumping scenarios could have done something. Yet, I don't know how that could be.

 

[kptfj60]

Bump.Sorry!