new owner - lots of questions

[45lplive]

bought an 87 fj60 recently and want to ask those who know some questions. firstly, when i bought it the engine was hesitating a ton. turned out a vacuum line was disconnected and timing was off. however, it started right up every time. now (after the mini tune up) it runs great but starting it is a hit or miss mystery that practically has me reading tea leaves and tossing chicken blood on the front hood. what gives? i read some posts and tried a few techniques (full choke when cold, pump 4 times, start. full to the floor. pump pedel, etc). there doesn't seem to be enough consistency for me to figure it out. is this standard behavior or is mine possesed? or does it need a new carb?

aside from the starting, i find it runs hot on the highway and sitting in traffic. radiator? or does it just need a good flush?

lastly, it's leaking like a seive from the transfer case. i've heard that sealing it is a pretty expensive operation. anyone know the deal or what it may cost.

the truck has 130,000 miles on it and is a one owner vehicle.

thanks very much.

 

[87CRUSR]

As far as the difficult starts, check the fuel filter and fuel pump before you dip into a carb rebuild. You probably need to do it anyway. Also, use carb cleaner and it might help as well.

Running hot...start with the basics, thermostat, radiator flush, hoses, leaks and if all else fail...get ready for the radiator, Other possible scenarios could be fan clutch but since it runs hot when driving it can be the thermostat.

Good luck and welcome.

 

[peepers]

radiator hot on the highway... most likely time for the new one. if you want to start with a flush and OEM Toyota Red Coolant and new hoses and a t-stat, go for it... but i bet it still gets hot. I would do the radiator as well... I got one from Performance Radiator. GREAT fit, worked very well, many happy customers.

 

[45lplive]

thanks, i'll give these things a look. try the basics before i go full bore on a radiator. do you guys find that most toyota dealers are willing to work on these old trucks or do you find it's better to find a local shop who knows them well?

 

[peepers]

the best thing for you to do is get the Factory Service Manual for your model. Read it and consult ot all the time. Post questions on here and use Cruiser Dan for discounted parts. Do a search for him on the boards and ye shall find.

Attempt most of the work yourself. Chances are, there is someone from the board that lives close to you and if you ask, you might find people to help/instruct/bring tools along etc... Just supply lots of cold beer.

I think dealers are hit or miss. You will hear lots of stories about dealers not being able to locate part #s or not even understanding what part you are asking for. There is also a thread on here about local mechanics here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=42646

where are you located?

 

[45lplive]

i'm in st. louis. i had a look around and it seems like most owners tend to be on the west coast (my truck is from there too, i couldn't find one here with or without rust, they don't exist). i'll order a manual and take care of most things, but i'm just worried about the bigger items. i had a good look under the hood at everything in the old girl, and bought a haynes manual (friggin useless, might as well be made for a yugo) and it's not overly complex, but the emissions system and carburetor do have me a wee bit worried. there's enough hoses on that set up to circumnaviagte the planet. i'll probably just become a pest on this board. i appologize in advance. love the truck though. makes me chuckle when i see it...then it doesn't start, runs hot and leaves a trail of oil i could use to find my way home, and it's back to reality.