New here, problems with 85

[NCsuzy]

Hi all. I've been lurking for some time on this site. I have my boyfriends (Tim) 85 4Runner, love it, perfect for here at the beach but lots of problems. First, it was sitting for 2 years, somebody cut off the catylitic converter, etc. when we decided to move here, he took a week off and got it running. it has done well for many months until recently. It's coughing, chugging, radiator running hot but not on the temp gauge. He put some radiator/head gasket stuff in the radiator but it's still acting up. His dad thinks it's the head. He read thru his Haynes book and it said to trouble-shoot several things like plugs, wires, cap, etc. What should he start with? anyone had any problems like this?
Thanks a bunch in advance,
Susie:awais:

 

[hickory]

coughing

Check fluids for contanimation. Oil should be white froth free ( whitish stuff) coolant should be Bright green or whatever colour the coolant supposed to be. An oil change will tell if the oil is contanimated. Any white smoke from exhaust. Compression test will determine any weak cylinders.

 

[ManDownUnder]

A compression test would be a good place to start. To me i believe it is a head gasket.

 

[NCsuzy]

Thanks!! where can I get a compression test? there is only one auto place here where I live so I'd have to go into Wilmington NC. okay, one other thing... Tim says to get a head from a junkyard and the gasket online.. is this right? he's computer illiterate and works all the time so I'm doing the leg work! that's fine tho cuz I love this truck and want to keep it.
-Susie

 

[austintaco]

Thanks!! where can I get a compression test? there is only one auto place here where I live so I'd have to go into Wilmington NC. okay, one other thing... Tim says to get a head from a junkyard and the gasket online.. is this right? he's computer illiterate and works all the time so I'm doing the leg work! that's fine tho cuz I love this truck and want to keep it.
-Susie

If you might be able to rent the tool to check compression from an autozone. If compression is low, it might be a headgasket. However, the vehicle sat for two years, so I would start by draining all of the old gas out, put new gas in with seafoam or techron added to it, check the fuel pump, change spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and like others said, check and change the fluids and oil.
Hopefully, its not a headgasket. Its most likely related to the truck sitting for so long. Also, on that note, check the airbox and filter. A rat or some pests could have made a nest in there too.
I am not a car expert, but if the truck ran fine two years ago, and now its not, that's the problem.

 

[ManDownUnder]

Compression testing is extremely easy if you have the right tool. just take the spark plugs out and place the compression tester were the spark plug goes and turn the car over. if to pistons next to each other are low then it is a head gasket. You looking for a compression of around the 150 mark. Hopefully head gasket isn't the problem but if it is i would suggest getting the head machined.

 

[NCsuzy]

Thanks a lot! we'll get started on it this weekend and I'll let y'all know how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Suz