1988 Toyota Pickup Acceleration Loss

TOYOTA PICKUP
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SPORK777
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I have a 1988 Toyota pickup with about 177,000 miles, and a 2.4L 4 cylinder engine. I've recently had trouble accelerating, like it has lost some horsepower. I also have trouble maintaining speed going uphill. Even a very slight hill causes a dramatic slowdown in speed. And I've also noticed a burning chemical smell, especially after going uphill. I had a tuneup about 5 years ago and had the radiator and alternator replaced within the past 2 years. I had the oil changed about 1 month ago. What do you think the problem is?
Apr 1, 2007 at 2:06 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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How many miles regding that tune up? And what was replaced at that time?
Apr 1, 2007 at 2:12 PM
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SPORK777
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I've gone maybe 40,000 to 45,000 miles since the tuneup. They changed the spark plugs and whatever else is normal for a tuneup.
Apr 1, 2007 at 2:35 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Tune up is a kind of generic word that doesn't mean the same thing to everyone.

BTW is this the Carbureted or F/I motor?


For starters, since you don't know what was done, I would start with a tune up as you need it anyways.

If it were mine, I would get a set of NGK brand plugs,
I think these were regular resistor plugs. ( If that is what it came with I would stay with it and not put in platinum or any other one).
Replace the fuel filter, replace tha Cap, Rotor, and wires with a quality brand, I like Standard.

Look at each plug and check for anything abnormal, noted what cylinder it came from if anything is present.
Apr 1, 2007 at 10:00 PM

Suggested Repair

Perform a tune-up: install NGK resistor spark plugs (not platinum or other types if resistor plugs were original), replace the fuel filter, and replace the distributor cap, rotor, and ignition wires with a quality brand such as Standard. Inspect each removed plug for abnormalities and note which cylinder it came from.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1988 Toyota Pickup with a 2.4L four-cylinder and about 177,000 miles reports lost power, trouble holding speed on even slight hills, and a burning chemical smell after uphill driving. The last tune-up was roughly 40,000 to 45,000 miles earlier and included spark plugs and routine items. The expert notes that tune-up contents vary, asks whether the engine is carbureted or fuel injected, and recommends a fresh tune-up with NGK resistor plugs, a new fuel filter, cap, rotor, and quality wires, plus inspection of each plug by cylinder.

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