Old corolla needs help!

[creeper]

Hi everyone, good to be on the forums!

So I just bought a 1987 CS Corolla hatch and i need some help straightening out a few problems.

First, it seems to have bad fuel economy. I'm only going off the gauge and odo here, but the gauge seems to drop really fast and from just under half a tank I got only 150km. This seems quite low to me. I took the following steps:

New fuel filter, air filter, coolant, oil. Set timing to 5 degrees (the mark before 10 on the crank case) and raised the idle a little. Checked distributor and leads, they seem fine. Sprayed carby cleaner down the carb and it seemed to clean it out.

The car idles great and seems to drive fine but whats up with the fuel usage? It's automatic but that shouldnt make it this bad!! Can anyone suggest what I should check next? Maybe the sender connections are dodgy or maybe its worse, like the fuel pump or carb.

Next problem, when I come to a full stop when in drive and hold it there, the car gets this cyclic vibration/shudder. I know its just the engine pulling against the stationary transmission but how should I rectify this? Is it OK to just raise the idle a tad?

That should be all for now, but don't worry i'm sure i'll think of more for you!!

Cheers,

Alex

Edited December 21, 2006 by creeper

[munter]

Check your tyre pressures and inflate them if they are low.

Does it look like its running rich? Check the tailpipe for black deposits.

Are the brakes dragging?

Also remember that the tank sizes on older cars are generally smaller so you don't go as far on a full tank!

Good luck.

Hi everyone, good to be on the forums!

So I just bought a 1987 CS Corolla hatch and i need some help straightening out a few problems.

First, it seems to have bad fuel economy. I'm only going off the gauge and odo here, but the gauge seems to drop really fast and from just under half a tank I got only 150km. This seems quite low to me. I took the following steps:

New fuel filter, air filter, coolant, oil. Set timing to 5 degrees (the mark before 10 on the crank case) and raised the idle a little. Checked distributor and leads, they seem fine. Sprayed carby cleaner down the carb and it seemed to clean it out.

The car idles great and seems to drive fine but whats up with the fuel usage? It's automatic but that shouldnt make it this bad!! Can anyone suggest what I should check next? Maybe the sender connections are dodgy or maybe its worse, like the fuel pump or carb.

Next problem, when I come to a full stop when in drive and hold it there, the car gets this cyclic vibration/shudder. I know its just the engine pulling against the stationary transmission but how should I rectify this? Is it OK to just raise the idle a tad?

That should be all for now, but don't worry i'm sure i'll think of more for you!!

Cheers,

Alex