[Supras] Supras Digest, Vol 44, Issue 9

[Bill]

Thanks, Jon!

While I am not a car mechanic, I AM a 32 year boat mechanic, and did even get ASE certified for emissions once, a very long time ago, when there were carbs and air pumps, and before state inspections! I am also pretty savvy with marine EFI systems; but of course, emissions really is not a factor for us, yet. So, to say that the HC is very high or only a bit, would be out of my league.

With that in mind, then, let me say that when my son showed up with this car, it was obvious that someone should have never been allowed near this car with a tool box. Starter and alternator about to fall off, vacuum hoses all screwed up, bolts missing, VSVs hanging in mid air, power steering hose literally shooting fluid on the left tire, nine, count 'em, NINE anti freeze leaks from such stupid things as a missing o-ring on the radiator drain......I could go on and on. (Yet he drove it around town!!!!) Now, when I asked him about it, my son tells me "The guy  I  bought it from did a head job."  That, my new friends, is just plain scary.

I know all too well that the hardest things to fix are the things that an unqualified brain has screwed up. Valve timing may very well be an issue here. Thanks for that idea! I checked the plugs and they were grey in the center but not heavily so, with black soot on the outer edges. I don't THINK there is anti freeze burning, yet!Timing WAS an issue; but it was five degrees ADVANCED; trying, no doubt, to pass emissions. I spent a few hours learning the vacuum lines and systems, then correcting them. The car does run slightly better after doing that, as they were way, WAY screwed up.There is no lean spit or miss fire. I'm afraid there is a slight mechanical knock at idle, like a piston slap. But the code doesn't come at idle and happens whether the sensor wire is on or off, going through third gear, usually.

My goal here is to knock (pardon the pun) off as many issues as possible, knock being the next item, like shooting ducks at the Fair, before trying a retest; because, like the rise of the Phoenix, I want this car to come back better than ever. My son loves this car. Supras are one of his very few life's passions.

Thanks again to everyone who has written! (I won't be as wordy next time!)