1985 Toyota Pickup Erratic Idle

TOYOTA PICKUP
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DOMERICKSON
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  • 1 POST
Just bought a 1985 Toyota Pickup with 138k miles. The idle is really low and erratic when it's in drive and goes high when in park. There's a bit of black smoke that's coming out of the exhaust too. Also, it isn't getting the best gas mileage. Quite sure that it's the carburetor but not sure if it needs an overhaul or just an adjustment, and don't know how to do it either.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
May 17, 2006 at 6:55 PM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
With an older truck with the 22R engine, I would do a complete old style tune up. A black exhaust means you are running rich. Check all the vacuum lines and make sure they are OK. Look at the side of the carb and see how the fuel level is in the window. It should split it.They were famous for having bad timing chains and tensioners. Let me know.
May 20, 2006 at 8:47 AM
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Suggested Repair

Perform a complete old-style tune-up. Black smoke indicates a rich mixture. Inspect all vacuum lines, confirm the carburetor fuel level is centered in the sight window, and check the timing chain and tensioner, which commonly fail on the 22R.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1985 Toyota Pickup with 138,000 miles reports a low, erratic idle in drive, a high idle in park, black exhaust smoke, and poor fuel economy, and suspects the carburetor. The expert recommends a full old-style tune-up, notes that black smoke means a rich mixture, and advises checking vacuum lines and the carburetor fuel level in the sight window. The expert also notes these trucks are known for failing timing chains and tensioners.

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