Z4N3_26 Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 Hi guys, I've recently bought a 1988 corolla with a 4ac and it's acting up quite a bit. When it's completely cold it will start up with no problem, but when it's hot it is very temperamental, sometimes it will start sometimes it won't. It's getting very annoying as it's leaving me stranded a lot and I have to get picked up. Any ideas why this would be happening any information would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrot Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 I'm thinking it has an electronic distributor? This can happen with heat soak into the internal ignitor module. At a minimum try and heat shield the distributor. One it cools off, it will generally then start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altezzaclub Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 What else happens?? Do you pump the throttle to make it richer when cranking hot? Does it idle fine hot or cold? Can you smell raw petrol at any time?? Its an auto choke isn't it? Parrot's idea seems pretty good to me, otherwise the only thing I can think of would be fuel. Throw it overboard and fit a 4AGE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrot Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 Unfortunately 4AGE's are also well known for it. Especially those without a distributor heat shield. Suffered it myself on an ae82 twin cam. From memory the late 4AC in Australia had a Bosch unit. Realistically it's never going to be reliable now. Best bet to replace it. If you can have it off the road, consider sending it to a distributor rebuild place like Performance ignition in Melbourne. It may not be (very) cheap. Or just try to source a complete distributor somewhere else and hope it isn't affected, and the bearings/seals are OK. And heat shield that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z4N3_26 Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 1 hour ago, altezzaclub said: What else happens?? Do you pump the throttle to make it richer when cranking hot? Does it idle fine hot or cold? Can you smell raw petrol at any time?? Its an auto choke isn't it? Parrot's idea seems pretty good to me, otherwise the only thing I can think of would be fuel. Throw it overboard and fit a 4AGE! I don't pump the throttle, i only hold it half way like the owners manual says. I can smell fuel especially after cranking and it is an auto choke but that seems to be working. A 4age would be very nice however i don't have a heap of money and can't find one online. And it idles ok, it does misfires though always has very mild though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z4N3_26 Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 I have changed the distributor once before but that was for an engine with similar kms on it so i don't know if its in good condition, but i will definitely take your guys advice and try to source a new one. Any recommendations on where i could fine one? i always fine myself looking on the sparesbox website. Thank you for the replys, much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrot Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 If you are in Melbourne, there is a 1987 & 1988 AE82 at Pickapart in Kilsyth, and a 1986 at Broadmeadows. No idea if they still have its distributor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrot Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 Also try the AE82 Corolla Owners Group page on facebook. Failing that I would get yours rebuilt. You wont find a new one easily/reasonably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z4N3_26 Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 I'm in Denmark so the closest thing i have is Albany, but they don't seem to have any corollas in their wreckers unfortunately. Is is an easy thing to do rebuilding a distributor? And would you know of any places in WA that would do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrot Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 Can't help with WA, but you can always post yours to Performance Ignition. They have been around for very many years. https://performanceignition.com.au/p/troubleshooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z4N3_26 Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 28 minutes ago, parrot said: Can't help with WA, but you can always post yours to Performance Ignition. They have been around for very many years. https://performanceignition.com.au/p/troubleshooting Cheers ill give them a try 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tymm_1 Posted April 18 Report Share Posted April 18 On 2/8/2024 at 1:41 AM, Z4N3_26 said: Hi guys, I've recently bought a 1988 corolla with a 4ac and it's acting up quite a bit. When it's completely cold it will start up with no problem, but when it's hot it is very temperamental, sometimes it will start sometimes it won't. It's getting very annoying as it's leaving me stranded a lot and I have to get picked up. Any ideas why this would be happening any information would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Hey, one of my buddies had this problem, and he said it's because of the ignition system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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