POP, SMOKE, AND STALL the story of an unhappy FZJ80 :(

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mattman555

mattman555

10 Year
Joined
Jul 26, 2013
Threads
25
Messages
195
Location
Show Low AZ
We were going up a hill @ 4K RPM in my 96 Land Cruiser, then a Pop noise, black poof of smoke out the tailpipe, then a complete stall. Prior to this issue, I had just changed the oil and oil filter (< 75 miles)

After I got it back home (thanks AAA for the tow) I found the Ignition Coil line had come off of the distributor, the lower EGR Vacuum hose was disconnected and the Vacuum Gas filter was cracked.

I replaced the Vacuum Gas Filter (this is located on the intake manifold).
Put hose clamps on the lower EGR vacuum line. It was not staying on.
Plugged the ignition coil line to the distributor.
I noticed the radiator was about 1/2 gallon low (seemed odd, I just checked it about 3 days prior)

The engine turned over without issue.
I checked the timing and it was dead on at 0-3 degrees.

MAIN Issue -
If the TLC is at idle I've run it up to ~2.5k RPM, it runs fine, but I notice a vapor drip out the tail pipe. I put it in gear and took it around the block. During the drive I notice a whispy noise and there is no acceleration after ~10 MPG, it just sputters but does not stall. After a quick trip around the block I notice the whispy noise might be coming from behind the exhaust heat shields, but not sure.

After the test I drained the new oil (<75 miles on it). Though the oil was quite dark in color, there did not appear to be any white, milky, or water to its appearance.


At this point I'm not quite sure what is wrong, any suggestions are most appreciated!

*Update*
FINAL Solution -- Replaced the CATS as they were plugged from the backfire
 
Last edited:
Dimples said:
Have you done a compression test on all cylinders? Also what is the fuel pressure?
Click to expand...

I had a compression test done (~12 months ago) and it was good. I don't know what it is right now or the fuel pressure.

Is there a way that I could measure these and if so what metrics would I be looking for to ensure they are in tolerance?
 
Measure fuel pressure off the fuel rail. There should be a Schaeder valve where you can hook a pressure gauge. It should be 40 psi or there abouts.
You will need a compression gauge for the other test. Not sure you need it quite yet. I'd check sensors first. If it comes to a compression test here is a how to.
 
Sputtering and no acceleration... vacc leak perhaps? Egr gasket still intact? Did you check all vacc hoses under the manifold, etc?
 
mattman555 said:
it runs fine, but I notice a vapor drip out the tail pipe.
Click to expand...
H2O is a byproduct of burning a hydrocarbon. There is ALWAYS water present in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine.
 
If it was me I would start at a leak down test. It will tell you more than a compression test. Start there to verify the mechanicals.

If that passes then I would trouble shoot per the FSM exactly.
 
Dimples said:
Measure fuel pressure off the fuel rail. There should be a Schaeder valve where you can hook a pressure gauge. It should be 40 psi or there abouts.
You will need a compression gauge for the other test. Not sure you need it quite yet. I'd check sensors first. If it comes to a compression test here is a how to.
Click to expand...


Do we have a schrader valve on the fuel rail? I can't remember since I've never done this in the 80
 
Possible issue with catalytic converters?
 
alia176 said:
Do we have a schrader valve on the fuel rail? I can't remember since I've never done this in the 80
Click to expand...
Nope :(

cheers,
george.
 
@mattman555, in your first post, you mentioned a "POP". Can you elaborate on this?
 
I had a Buick do this to me. Clogged up cat was the ticket. It would fire up and run, but stall out due to the clogged up cat.

Good suggestion, Funner.
 
baldilocks said:
@mattman555, in your first post, you mentioned a "POP". Can you elaborate on this?
Click to expand...

Pop was a quick single pop noise followed by a couple of ticks, single puff of black smoke out the back, then check engine then complete stall loss of power.

quasi said:
I would also check your cats, raw fuel can fill them quickly if the ignition stopped working under high load. Then they melt and cause a blockage,
Click to expand...

Good ideas and comments from all on the cats, both are newer (<2 years old) but still a good thing to check.
Just a note on this.. While in park I have run the engine as high as 3K RPM, and there is ample exhaust coming out of the tailpipe. I would think that if there was a plugged cat I would see an issue when doing this?
 
Revving with no load will have much less exhause pressure and volume than running on the road with the vehicle load. Could still be clogged cats, but sounding like it could also be vacuum related, or some other gasket. Curious that it would spit a few vacuum tubes,... Worth looking for others at the intake manifod that may have seen overpressure due to that backfire.

Speculation here, but that initial POP! Was probably the last spark which ignited from the coil when the connector came off. I would pull the distributor cap and look at the rotor closely for any carbon burns or tracing. Wipe it down thoroughly afterward, inside and out. You're getting spark, or it wouldnt rev, but just throwing out ideas.

Have you pulled plugs and taken a look for wet/burned?
 
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