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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / September 2005

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1985 Toyota Pickup -- Idles Too Fast

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Daniel B. Martin - 10 Sep 2005 15:44 GMT
 Hello, I'm a newbie here.   Just bought my first Toyota ever, a 1985
pickup with 146K miles.   The engine starts readily and pulls well.
The idle is smooth, but that's the problem.   The truck failed state
inspection because the idle is too high.   How does one adjust the idle?
  The engine has a two-barrel carburetor.   I don't see any idle stop
screw or idle mixture screws.   All the vacuum hoses look good...  no
cracks, no breaks, nothing mysteriously disconnected or blocked off.
Please advise.

Daniel B. Martin
do_not_spam_me@my-deja.com - 11 Sep 2005 09:57 GMT
> Hello, I'm a newbie here.   Just bought my first Toyota ever, a 1985
> pickup with 146K miles.   The engine starts readily and pulls well.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> screw or idle mixture screws.   All the vacuum hoses look good...  no
> cracks, no breaks, nothing mysteriously disconnected or blocked off.

> Just bought my first Toyota ever, a 1985 pickup with 146K
>  The truck failed state inspection because the idle is
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> good...  no cracks, no breaks, nothing mysteriously
> disconnected or blocked off.

You can find repair information for that model, including carburetor
diagrams, at www.autozone.com, but www.toyotanation.com and
www.toyland.com may also be of help.  Factory or Mitchell manuals are
much better than anything else, especially for fuel and emissions
systems.  Toyota specifies many carburetor settings in degrees, but if
you need them in inches or millimeters, check a Chevy Nova manual or a
Mitchell for the Nova.  Also if you ever have to disassemble the
carburetor, beware that most diagrams, including Toyota's own, have the
2 fuel-cut solonoids mixed up.

The idle speed screw is unusually long, about 2", and sticks up about
45 degrees and is made to be turned even without a screwdriver.  There
are probably 3 idle speeds:  base, fast, and idle-up, the latter set by
adjusting the throttle positioner dashpot (do not confuse with the
choke pull-off or choke opener dashpots).  Adjusting the throttle
positioner may require removing some hoses and plugging one fitting.
Next to its adjustment screw may be another one for the throttle
position switch, and it's very sensitive and if set wrong may cause the
vehicle to fail an emissions test since it tells the computer when to
read the oxygen sensor.
Daniel B. Martin - 11 Sep 2005 16:46 GMT
> The idle speed screw is unusually long, about 2", and sticks up about
> 45 degrees and is made to be turned even without a screwdriver.  

Success!   The idle mixture screw was hidden behind a factory-installed
no-tamper plug.   I drilled out the plug, turned the screw, and the idle
is now much lower.   Thanks to all who offered suggestions.

Daniel B. Martin
do_not_spam_me@my-deja.com - 11 Sep 2005 21:36 GMT
> > The idle speed screw is unusually long, about 2", and sticks up about
> > 45 degrees and is made to be turned even without a screwdriver.
>
> Success!   The idle mixture screw was hidden behind a factory-installed
> no-tamper plug.   I drilled out the plug, turned the screw, and the idle
> is now much lower.   Thanks to all who offered suggestions.

I'm glad it's running better, but did you really adjust the idle
_mixture_ screw to set the idle _speed_?   On the 1985 Toyota Corolla
(same basic carb), you adjust the mixture screw for maximum RPM, the
idle speed screw for 650 RPM, then retweak the mixture screw for max
RPM and the idle speed screw for 650 RPM.  Finally you lean the mixture
for a 50 RPM drop, and then turn the speed screw for the correct idle
speed.
Daniel B. Martin - 12 Sep 2005 01:40 GMT
> I'm glad it's running better, but did you really adjust the idle
> _mixture_ screw to set the idle _speed_?

Yes, but only because I cannot find an idle stop adjustment.   I found
mention of the hidden idle mixture screw in an old Chilton manual.
Keep in mind that my objective is to pass the state inspection.   Once
that hurdle is cleared I can restore the idle mixture to its former setting.

Daniel B. Martin
Ted Mittelstaedt - 12 Sep 2005 10:20 GMT
> > I'm glad it's running better, but did you really adjust the idle
> > _mixture_ screw to set the idle _speed_?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Keep in mind that my objective is to pass the state inspection.   Once
> that hurdle is cleared I can restore the idle mixture to its former setting.

It may not pass then, as a wrong mixture will increase emissions.

Ted
Daniel B. Martin - 12 Sep 2005 20:27 GMT
> It may not pass then, as a wrong mixture will increase emissions.
HC was high but within legal limits.   The truck passed inspection and
is wearing a new windshield sticker.   Hooray!

Daniel B. Martin
do_not_spam_me@my-deja.com - 13 Sep 2005 05:05 GMT
> > I'm glad it's running better, but did you really adjust the idle
> > _mixture_ screw to set the idle _speed_?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Keep in mind that my objective is to pass the state inspection.   Once
> that hurdle is cleared I can restore the idle mixture to its former setting.

Did you check the exploded diagrams of the carb at www.autozone.com?
The following may be your carburetor (there are 3 shown for that
model):

www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d801893dd.gif

It appears the mixture and speed adjustment screws are on the passenger
side, or 90 degrees clockwise from the side with the float level sight
glass.

Try not to use a Chilton manual, especially for fuel, emissions, and
electronics systems.  About the only decent manuals for those systems
are the manufacturer's and Mitchell's.

You should restore the mixture screw to its original setting, unless
that setting is wrong, because running too lean isn't good for your
engine and can make it overheat or ping and consume more gas.  For the
1985 Corolla version, with the engine fully warmed up and in neutral or
park, adjust the idle speed screw for 700 RPM and turn the mixture
screw for maximum RPM, then readjust the speed screw as needed to
maintain 700 RPM.  Turn the mixture adjustment slightly again to verify
the engine is at maximum RPM, and again turn the speed screw as needed
to maintain 700 RPM.  Then lean out the mixture by turning the mixture
screw clockwise until the engine drops to 650 RPM.  Finally set the
idle speed screw for correct idle, probably 650 RPM for manual
transmission, 750 RPM for automatic.
Daniel B. Martin - 13 Sep 2005 13:23 GMT
> Did you check the exploded diagrams of the carb at www.autozone.com?
> The following may be your carburetor (there are 3 shown for that
> model):
>
> www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d801893dd.gif

I had no trouble accessing the AutoZone home page or doing parts
lookups.   However, I did not discover the way to find technical
information such as the exploded view diagram.   Your guidance would be
appreciated.

> Try not to use a Chilton manual, especially for fuel, emissions, and
> electronics systems.  About the only decent manuals for those systems
> are the manufacturer's and Mitchell's.

I agree.   Chilton is a last resort.   I own the factory service manual
for all my vehicles except this newly-acquired Toyota.   I tried to buy
a FSM for the Toyota on eBay but was out-bid.   I'll try again.

> You should restore the mixture screw to its original setting ...

Done.   That raised the idle speed and also smoothed the idle.   I'm
happy with this higher idle speed.

Thank you for your interest and useful information.

Daniel B. Martin
do_not_spam_me@my-deja.com - 14 Sep 2005 02:14 GMT
> I had no trouble accessing the AutoZone home page or doing parts
> lookups.   However, I did not discover the way to find technical
> information such as the exploded view diagram.

I believe you have to register and log in.  Then click on "Repair Info"
and then "Vehicle Repair Guides," which will take you to a large list
of vehicles.  Choose yours, and you'll be taken to a page where you can
select the area of interest for that vehicle (brakes, electrical, fuel
system, etc.).  Click on "fuel system" and then "carburetor."   Scroll
down to the diagrams and click to enlarge, which will open a new
window.  Right-click on the enlarged picture to save to disk.

> > Try not to use a Chilton manual, especially for fuel, emissions, and
> > electronics systems.  About the only decent manuals for those systems
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> for all my vehicles except this newly-acquired Toyota.   I tried to buy
> a FSM for the Toyota on eBay but was out-bid.   I'll try again.

I don't know if you're familiar with Toyota factory manuals, but
they're  unusually detailed, even compared to other factory manuals,
with a separate illustration for almost each step of every repair
procedure.  But it seems that many of them have a misprint for the
diagrams of the carburetor:  The 2 fuel cut solonoids may be mixed up.
One solonoid has 2 wires, the other just 1, and it is possible to
install them backwards, so take note before removing the carb.

> > You should restore the mixture screw to its original setting ...

> Done.   That raised the idle speed and also smoothed the idle.   I'm
> happy with this higher idle speed.

If the engine bogs down when you use the high beams or A/C, you may
want to check the idle-up.  You have to first disconnect the 2nd hose
from the end on a thermostatic valve with 4 houses going to it and plug
the nipple.  Start the engine (turn off all accessories) and unplug the
hose at the end of the throttle positioner dashpot (has 3 hoses; leave
the 2 on the side alone) to make the dashpot press on the throttle.
The adjustment screw is at the end of its pushrod and is facing the
dashpot (the other screw is for the throttle position electrical switch
and should be left alone; its adjustment is touchy and affects when the
fuel system runs in closed loop mode).  With the engine in neutral or
park the idle-up should be around 800-900 RPM.
do_not_spam_me@my-deja.com - 13 Sep 2005 05:09 GMT
> > I'm glad it's running better, but did you really adjust the idle
> > _mixture_ screw to set the idle _speed_?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Keep in mind that my objective is to pass the state inspection.   Once
> that hurdle is cleared I can restore the idle mixture to its former setting.

Did you check the exploded diagrams of the carb at www.autozone.com?
The following may be your carburetor (there are 3 shown for that
model):

www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d801893dd.gif

It appears the mixture and speed adjustment screws are on the passenger
side, or 90 degrees clockwise from the side with the float level sight
glass.

Try not to use a Chilton manual, especially for fuel, emissions, and
electronics systems.  About the only decent manuals for those systems
are the manufacturer's and Mitchell's.

You should restore the mixture screw to its original setting, unless
that setting is wrong, because running too lean isn't good for your
engine and can make it overheat or ping and consume more gas.  For the
1985 Corolla version, with the engine fully warmed up and in neutral or
park, adjust the idle speed screw for 700 RPM and turn the mixture
screw for maximum RPM, then readjust the speed screw as needed to
maintain 700 RPM.  Turn the mixture adjustment slightly again to verify
the engine is at maximum RPM, and again turn the speed screw as needed
to maintain 700 RPM.  Then lean out the mixture by turning the mixture
screw clockwise until the engine drops to 650 RPM.  Finally set the
idle speed screw for correct idle, probably 650 RPM for manual
transmission, 750 RPM for automatic.
 
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