Time to have the engine re-built or replaced.

[reade69fj]

My 69 FJ40 (w/'74 engine) is becoming more difficult to keep running (runs rough - even after tuning), slowly boggs down at idle, puffs blue smoke and dies). I guess it is time to have the engine rebuilt or replaced. I live in Jacksonville Florida. Anyone have any experience with a shop near hear that is good with Land Cruisers? Since I bought it, I have done all the upkeep work myself, but I do not have the facilities to attempt this scale of work. Thanks.

 

[Jdc1]

Have you done a wet/dry compression check? How's the timing? Is it burning oil? How do you know you need a rebuild?

 

[reade69fj]

Have you done a wet/dry compression check? How's the timing? Is it burning oil? How do you know you need a rebuild?

Have not done a compression check. Timing sets fine. If I clean the plugs, it cranks right up when i bump the key, then as it warms up the idle get rougher and rougher, blue smoke starts appearing from the tail pipe, then it dies. I can hit the throttle and keep it from dying, but even at a higher RPM it fires rough, even backfires. Then as I let it go to idle it dies. Afterwards, it will try to start but will not get firing momentum. I have pulled the plugs (new plugs) and they all are covered with black soot (no one cylinder looks worse that another). So I'm not getting a clean/complete burn. I also replaced the points, distributor cap and rotor. It just started doing this a couple of weeks ago (which prompted my tune-up), prior to then it ran fine.

 

[imyahucklbrry]

You absolutely sure of your carburetor?

 

[reade69fj]

You absolutely sure of your carburetor?

It's a Trollhole that I installed about 3 years ago. Have not touched it.

 

[imyahucklbrry]

Pm sent

 

[Splangy]

Your first step needs to be a compression check. Report your findings here.

Also, just because you installed a trollhole carb three years ago doesn't mean it's not fuel/air related.

 

[reade69fj]

Agree, I guess I ignored the carb since it was still, in my mind, new. But it makes sense that after the other stuff I have updated and re-set, it may be the issue. I'll take a look at compression and the carb. Tks.

 

[reade69fj]

Picked up a loaner compression gauge from an auto parts store up the street. Compressions range from 105 (1 and 2) to 95 -100 (3 - 6). They seem low from reading some threads herein, but they are somewhat consistent among themselves. I warmed the engine up as much as I could, but it was not at complete operating temp, if that could have an effect. FIY- I have what they call a "transition" engine, manufactured in 4/74, at least that's what I was told when shopping for a head a few years ago.

Kindly opine on any guidance if these readings are ok, or point to my original dilemma.

Thanks!

 

[Splangy]

Make sure you do the following:

- engine is at normal operating temp
- all plugs are removed
- throttle wide open
- have strong battery and starter

If numbers are still low, squirt some oil in each cylinder and do the compression check again.

 

[reade69fj]

I had all the plugs out, but missed on normal op temp (confessed above) and did not have throttle wide open. I'll do it over again on Thursday and advise. Between now and then, I'll put the charger on the battery to make sure it's as strong as possible. Thanks for your input and patience.

 

[beecherjeeper]

How dirty is the air filter?

 

[reade69fj]

Air cleaner is clean, first thing I checked. BUT...... I was staring at the engine this morning and noticed the fuel filter had very little fuel in it (clear plastic casing). So on a whim I replaced it, then cranked her up (new filter filled up quickly). I let it sit and idle until at running temp and gave it a few revs and it ran fine. It also re-started at the bump of the key (it would not re-start after bogging down to shut off before). So all along I could have just been starving it for fuel.

UUUUGGGGHHHH - If this was it all along, I kinda feel embarrassed. Then again, I'm not a mechanic, just have loved FJ40s since I first saw them as a kid, and on an impulse bought one sitting on the side of the road for sale, but did not run. With the help of a toyota rep down the street, forums such as this, and research, I replaced a lot of parts, including the head, it has been running great (3+ years) and loads of fun. Even though I think the engine is tired and does not put out the power it should, it is smooth on excelleration.

Tonight I'm going to re-check timing at engine temp and then take it for a drive. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks.

 

[jamesurq]

I kinda feel embarrassed.

Don't. We're all learning here. Nobody's judging you.... Or at least, nobody that you really would want to be friends with anyway

 

[Jdc1]

Air cleaner is clean, first thing I checked. BUT...... I was staring at the engine this morning and noticed the fuel filter had very little fuel in it (clear plastic casing). So on a whim I replaced it, then cranked her up (new filter filled up quickly). I let it sit and idle until at running temp and gave it a few revs and it ran fine. It also re-started at the bump of the key (it would not re-start after bogging down to shut off before). So all along I could have just been starving it for fuel.

UUUUGGGGHHHH - If this was it all along, I kinda feel embarrassed. Then again, I'm not a mechanic, just have loved FJ40s since I first saw them as a kid, and on an impulse bought one sitting on the side of the road for sale, but did not run. With the help of a toyota rep down the street, forums such as this, and research, I replaced a lot of parts, including the head, it has been running great (3+ years) and loads of fun. Even though I think the engine is tired and does not put out the power it should, it is smooth on excelleration.

Tonight I'm going to re-check timing at engine temp and then take it for a drive. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks.

Congrats on dodging a $3500 bill. These things are pretty simple and a good way to learn. Armed with Mud, a Factory Service Manual and a little commen sense you should be able to handle most of the repairs on your truck.

Link to download able FSM:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...5miin6tkkZHkCZyMA&sig2=gurMM5fOK_4CcL3uF-ByVg

 

[reade69fj]

Was able to get back to it this afternoon. Timing at temp is fine. Drove it for 10 - 15 min and was all happy that it did not skip a beat. Then brought it home and left it running in driveway while I went for a screwdriver to adjust idle (a bit high). Just then, and before I touched the idle, the RPM dropped, just like a car with auto-choke kicking off, to such a low RPM that it started to idle rough and begin to shut down (starving fuel I suspect). I turned it off and tried to re-crank it, and it would not start. To me, this confirms a carborator issue. I'm pursuing that now.

 

[imyahucklbrry]

Still think it's carb... but your symptoms sound more like fuel dumping into carb rather than other way around. Possibly the new filter set things right temporarily? If you can get it up and running, that sight glass should tell you a lot!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I can't list all the dumb things I've done... Here are a couple of my favorites:

1. Melted my harness by hooking the battery up backwards. There were mitigating circumstances, but suffice it to say, inattention to detail was key. Moral: Pay attention to everything you do.

2. Installed a hood lock with ignition interrupt. Activated it, went hiking, returned, forgot to deactivate it, engine cranked, but wouldn't start. I troubleshot the hell out of it and finally sat down and talked to Gunner (my dog) and noticed he was laughing. I asked what he was laughing about and he wouldn't say. But, the interlude enlightened me... I unlocked the hood lock and drove home, with Gunner laughing the whole time. Moral: when it won't start, relax, take a deep breath and run the checklist of possibilities thru your mind.

So, don't let it bother you... Everybody knows how dumb I can be... If they don't, all they need to do is ask.

Congratulations for getting it going!!

And remember the fuel filter... With an old 40, you probably have crap in your fuel tank and lines, so the filter will eventually clog again. I use a pair (dual tanks) of glass filters, with replacable elements... I carry a dozen or so filter elements with me on every trip... They are small and good to have in my spares.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

BTW you should still do dry and wet compression tests and log them, as a baseline, for future diagnosis.

 

[reade69fj]

Ha, Ha; stupid stuff I have done (mechanically- please, let's not stray off subject or we will crash the web site) --- I too have connected a battery backwards - nothing like the smell of burning wires in the morning. Also, I had my boat pulled up to a sand bar in the intercoastal and when we wanted to leave it would not start. Spent an hour checking the plugs, fuel lines and the engine only to realize that I had forgot to reset the emergency kill switch at the helm. Had the wife and kids on board and they had a good time ragging me about it the rest of the day.

I'll look at the glass on the carb, and yes what I did today cured a contributer but not the main culprit (Carb).