need help with my 88 supra, non turbo

rcs666 · 02-20-2013, 12:57 AM

Maybe you guys can shed some light on this situation. I bought an 88 supra last week. For way cheap. It was running, but had some obvious issues, such as needing paint, a windshield, the starter is going out (but still works after a few tries).

Now heres the issue. It ran when i bought it. It ran a liitle rought, and i was told it was due to needing new plugs and wires. So i drove it home (maybe 45 mins), and went to do the plugs. I had to pull the throttle body due to it covering 2 plugs, and cleaned it while it was off.

When i went to do the plugs though, there was probly about a good inch of what looked like oil and coolant mix on top of the plugs. When i removed the old plugs this all drained into the cylinders. I replaced the plugs and wires, reassembled everything, and fired it up. I ran it for probly 5 minutes, and it was running way better.

So after 5 minutes of running it, i shut it off to replace the clamps on a hose, and tried to start it again. Only this time it wont start. The battery is fine, it has gas, and everything is put back together correctly.

So WTF? why wont this thing start?

btwilson86 · 02-20-2013, 01:28 AM

Oil on the spark plugs is fairly common with the MKIII's, you can check out the threads in the FAQ on how to diagnose/fix that. I would be concerned about the possibility of coolant on top of the plugs (although that could just be from a leaking hose, like the 2 that run to/from the throttle body).

In short, there's not enough info here to determine why your car isn't running. Are there any CEL (Check Engine Light) codes stored? How does your wiring look? Are there broken wires/connectors, anything unplugged, anything loose?

When you say it won't start, do you mean the starter doesn't spin? Or does the engine turn over but not fire? Or does the engine turn over, sputters, but doesn't run on it's own?

rcs666 · 02-20-2013, 01:37 AM

Its turning over, but not firing. Could it be flooded?

btwilson86 · 02-20-2013, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btwilson86

Are there any CEL (Check Engine Light) codes stored? How does your wiring look? Are there broken wires/connectors, anything unplugged, anything loose?

See above for my follow-up questions.

rcs666 · 02-20-2013, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcs666

Its turning over, but not firing. Could it be flooded?

Quote:

Originally Posted by btwilson86

Oil on the spark plugs is fairly common with the MKIII's, you can check out the threads in the FAQ on how to diagnose/fix that. I would be concerned about the possibility of coolant on top of the plugs (although that could just be from a leaking hose, like the 2 that run to/from the throttle body).

In short, there's not enough info here to determine why your car isn't running. Are there any CEL (Check Engine Light) codes stored? How does your wiring look? Are there broken wires/connectors, anything unplugged, anything loose?

When you say it won't start, do you mean the starter doesn't spin? Or does the engine turn over but not fire? Or does the engine turn over, sputters, but doesn't run on it's own?

The check engine light is on, cant get the codes checked because it wont start now. Ive double checked all the wiring and hoses, and everything appears fine.

btwilson86 · 02-20-2013, 01:59 AM

The car should not be running when checking codes (the key is in the "on" position, but you don't actually start the car). Check the codes as outlined in the FAQ and post back here.

Yes, there is a possibility it could be flooded (although unlikely).

If the car has sat for over an hour since you last tried starting it, you could go and try again. If it starts, then great. However, you should still check the codes because if the light is on, then there is a problem that should be addressed and any other troubleshooting would be pointless without knowing what the computer is trying to tell you.

cre · 02-20-2013, 02:58 AM

If there was a lot of oil then you've probably fouled the new plugs already. Pull the plugs, clean them thoroughly with gasoline and a soft brush. Let them dry. Reinstall, start the car and run it at about 1500-2000RPM for a a couple minutes to flush all that oil and carbon out.

rcs666 · 02-21-2013, 02:33 AM

The plugs where totally the issue. I just bought new ones because i didnt feel like cleaning the old ones, and it fired right up. It smoked a little and had trouble idling at first, but seems to be running great now. Now to tackle the starter, windshield, and paint!!!

02-20-2013, 12:57 AM	#1
rcs666 Stock Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cary NC Posts: 4	need help with my 88 supra, non turbo Maybe you guys can shed some light on this situation. I bought an 88 supra last week. For way cheap. It was running, but had some obvious issues, such as needing paint, a windshield, the starter is going out (but still works after a few tries). Now heres the issue. It ran when i bought it. It ran a liitle rought, and i was told it was due to needing new plugs and wires. So i drove it home (maybe 45 mins), and went to do the plugs. I had to pull the throttle body due to it covering 2 plugs, and cleaned it while it was off. When i went to do the plugs though, there was probly about a good inch of what looked like oil and coolant mix on top of the plugs. When i removed the old plugs this all drained into the cylinders. I replaced the plugs and wires, reassembled everything, and fired it up. I ran it for probly 5 minutes, and it was running way better. So after 5 minutes of running it, i shut it off to replace the clamps on a hose, and tried to start it again. Only this time it wont start. The battery is fine, it has gas, and everything is put back together correctly. So WTF? why wont this thing start?

02-20-2013, 01:28 AM	#2
btwilson86 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Billings, Montana Posts: 1,034	Oil on the spark plugs is fairly common with the MKIII's, you can check out the threads in the FAQ on how to diagnose/fix that. I would be concerned about the possibility of coolant on top of the plugs (although that could just be from a leaking hose, like the 2 that run to/from the throttle body). In short, there's not enough info here to determine why your car isn't running. Are there any CEL (Check Engine Light) codes stored? How does your wiring look? Are there broken wires/connectors, anything unplugged, anything loose? When you say it won't start, do you mean the starter doesn't spin? Or does the engine turn over but not fire? Or does the engine turn over, sputters, but doesn't run on it's own? __________________ 1989 7MGTE R154 Targa Top White Package w/Blue Interior Driftmotion 57trim CT26, Upgraded Intercooler, 2.25" Hard Pipes, 3" Turbo Back Exhaust with Test Pipe, HKS VPC w/GM 3 bar MAP sensor, APEXi S-AFC, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, ProSport EVO Series Boost / Fuel Pressure / AFR gauges, Lotek a Pillar Gauge Pod, HKS Type 0 Turbo Timer, Eibach Lowering Springs, Tokico Illumina II TEMS struts, custom powder coated Motegi Racing TrakLite wheels

02-20-2013, 01:59 AM	#6
btwilson86 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Billings, Montana Posts: 1,034	The car should not be running when checking codes (the key is in the "on" position, but you don't actually start the car). Check the codes as outlined in the FAQ and post back here. Yes, there is a possibility it could be flooded (although unlikely). If the car has sat for over an hour since you last tried starting it, you could go and try again. If it starts, then great. However, you should still check the codes because if the light is on, then there is a problem that should be addressed and any other troubleshooting would be pointless without knowing what the computer is trying to tell you. __________________ 1989 7MGTE R154 Targa Top White Package w/Blue Interior Driftmotion 57trim CT26, Upgraded Intercooler, 2.25" Hard Pipes, 3" Turbo Back Exhaust with Test Pipe, HKS VPC w/GM 3 bar MAP sensor, APEXi S-AFC, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, ProSport EVO Series Boost / Fuel Pressure / AFR gauges, Lotek a Pillar Gauge Pod, HKS Type 0 Turbo Timer, Eibach Lowering Springs, Tokico Illumina II TEMS struts, custom powder coated Motegi Racing TrakLite wheels

02-20-2013, 02:58 AM	#7
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	If there was a lot of oil then you've probably fouled the new plugs already. Pull the plugs, clean them thoroughly with gasoline and a soft brush. Let them dry. Reinstall, start the car and run it at about 1500-2000RPM for a a couple minutes to flush all that oil and carbon out. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

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02-20-2013, 01:37 AM	#3
rcs666 Stock Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cary NC Posts: 4	Its turning over, but not firing. Could it be flooded?

02-21-2013, 02:33 AM	#8
rcs666 Stock Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cary NC Posts: 4	The plugs where totally the issue. I just bought new ones because i didnt feel like cleaning the old ones, and it fired right up. It smoked a little and had trouble idling at first, but seems to be running great now. Now to tackle the starter, windshield, and paint!!!