Sputter and Smoke in low gears

[CWCHSSC]

Hey guys - I have been experiencing some sputtering in the lower gears, infrequently - ok - rarely, but the few times it happened, I had to pull over and restart my LC. Always happens in 1st and 2nd, black smoke out the tailpipe - pull over, restart, no problem. Any ideas what this could be? 88 FJ62, automatic.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

I'm gonna focus on the motor like it's not related to the gear selected. The only thing I can think of off the cuff would be a bad converter, but that nothing else you describe fits that.

Give us the rest of the picture... Last tune up? CEL ever come on? Notice a steady decline in mileage lately?

 

[NocalFJ60]

Welcome to mud.

I would start with reading the codes.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/115780-reading-3fe-engine-codes-home.html#post1482948

 

[CWCHSSC]

Actually happened for the first time after I had just had a tune up. I haven't owned the LC long enough to notice much of drop in mileage. Like I said, it is odd because it only happens once a week or every other week. At first I didn't notice that there was black smoke coming out of the exhaust when it sputtered. The first time it happened, I was at the bottom of a bridge (going up) and it actually stalled out. Restarted immediately and ran fine. I have noticed that I can ease up on the accelerator and slowly accelerate and it will stop sputtering when it gets past 2nd gear.

 

[Joshua993]

hmmm...
First off, welcome to mud. Many great mechanical minds on this forum. I am not one of them, but I will always throw my 2 pennies at anything.

I seem to remember someone on here saying something once about the fuel filter on inclines - with the greater demand for fuel comes increased flow and pressure, and the filter will clog. Black smoke is fuel or emissions related, and white smoke is oil.

Fuel filters are wicked cheap. Try replacing that and see what happens.

 

[CWCHSSC]

Thanks - will do. Should I be concerned that my rpms max out at 2k (usually around 1,500) on inclines? I don't mind getting passed on bridges, I just don't know how you owners in the mountains get anywhere.

 

[WES1977]

Thanks - will do. Should I be concerned that my rpms max out at 2k (usually around 1,500) on inclines? I don't mind getting passed on bridges, I just don't know how you owners in the mountains get anywhere.

Yes you should be. That could be the starving gas from the fuel filter metioned above.

My cruiser can handle hills pretty well, don't know about mountains. but it can handle steep bridges also.

The Mechanic that did my inspection last week told me it sounds like my 62 needs a tune up, but I have no problem cruising at 75 on the interstate.

 

[CWCHSSC]

Great info - thanks! I think I got up to 75 coming downhill in West VA once...