LUVTruck.com

Hi, i have an '80 Luv 4x4 which i've had nothing but issues with. Recently, its been starting on 2 cylinders, but after it warms up, it ran fine on all 4.

And now, the last time i tried to run it, it did the 2 to 4 cyl. thing, but a little bit later, it just stayed running on 2 cylinders. It also blows great amounts of white smoke, and the pedal has to be floored to keep it going. i'm starting to lose my patience with this truck. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Nick

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Thanks, Nick.

just to rule out everything I would
1.check compression
2.if it comes out bad adjust valves if it is still bad you have engine work to do.

if compression comes out ok due a basic tune up and you should be fine.
if tune up does not work you might have fuel problems probably dirty carb might need rebuild and cleaning. these engines are pretty basic as long as you don't have major internal problems you should be able top get it to run good.

white smoke could be a sign of a bad head gasket compression test will let you know

don't give up on her. your little 80 luv needs you

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Did a v8 conversion in 1981 on my '76 luv
Current Fleet
#1 1980 Black 2wd, #2 1980 Blue 2wd, #3 1980 Black 4x4 #4 1980 black 2wd Long bed #5 1979 black 4x4 #6 1977 red 2WD
pics
http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q223/gs11x/

The compression check is going to tell you the most. You'll probably find your two dead cylinders are low, and gs11x is right on with step 2, adjust the valves. If you don't have a compression gauge handy right now, you might start by pinning down which two cylinders are dead by pulling the plug wires one at a time. I think I'd also be checking the water level, and making sure your oil isn't turning milky.

Tons of white smoke isn't a good sign, but there is still a chance it could just need some adjustments.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

OOPs you have a blowen head gasket.Quick check pull the plugs and turn the motor over,the plugs will tell you witch cyl. put spinning the motor over will blow out the water.You can do the comp. test to at this time .Just make sure when you fix it that you surface the head or you will be doing it again later.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

If you're like me, and wanting to keep all the costs as low as possible, you take some advice and risk everything else. I'm talking about resurfacing the head and slapping it back on. If you've got water in your engine, there's a good chance the crankcase is rusted. You better do a complete rebuild like I'm doing right now, or you may end up regretting it later. I mean you better take the block out and have it hot tanked to remove all the rust scale or you might get your oil galley clogged and end up with a failed engine due to oil starvation like I did. I have to be honest, though. My engine failure could have been due to incorrect bearing installation and/or clearances.

At the very least remove the oil pan, clean it ALL out, and while it's off take a look at the crankcase interior. Any rust?

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

While it's blowing smoke, put your hand in front of the tailpipe - is it oily, smell like gas, or wet?

White smoke doesn't necessarily mean a blown gasket.

Follow the rest of the troubleshooting steps suggested (compression test, etc.) Also look closely at the plugs as they come out and compare to this chart:
http://www.verrill.com/moto/sellingguid ... rchart.htm

Check the spark plug gap as they come out as well. Bad gap can cause missfires.

I also had 2 cracked plugs (outer insulator cracked) that was causing a misfire.

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1978 shortbed fleetside, th350, Fireball 231 Even Fire V6, Edelbrock 500CFM Performer with Edelbrock intake. Workin' Truck.

stephenhj is right, there are a lot of other answers. You just need to start somewhere. Make sure oil and water are not mixing, check the plugs, comp check.

Checking the plugs can tell you a lot on its own if you learn to read them. If a couple of them look steam cleaned for example, that is a sign of water getting in the combustion chamber.

Let us know what you find and don't despair just yet.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

I'm with most others on this. Classic symptom of a failed head gasket.
Been there, done that.

Yep, I would suspect a head gasket, especially if your white smoke smells like antifreeze. To verify this I like to get engine warm, pull all plugs and start looking for steam coming out of the sparkplug hole(s) that is the culprit. I will also pump up radiator with a coolant system pressure pump to do this test if needed. If its a small leak you can sometimes hear it bubbling. Or a bigger leak will blow obvious steam. If you find a leak you will need to have head checked for cracks and probably milled flat again....

well, thats no good. i was afraid of that. now, about how much would that run me to get it fixed? Could i do it myself? and, are parts readily available? Dang.

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Thanks, Nick.

How close are you to Hesperia CA?

Here may be a sollution for ya.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrole ... 0336QQrdZ1

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FIAA: Color Guard

Hispera is near LA. i think. im up near stockton/modesto. thats a little far for me to go. too bad it werent closer, and i werent broke. whateva. ill find a solution.

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Thanks, Nick.

i wish i had the money i would buy it for the frame and bed and sell you the motor and sell some one else the cab

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http://www.facebook.com/ez.cracker
dangerous-toys4life
73 3-door avalanche bdydropped on 18s
86 1-ton 4x crewcab short bd 15"lift
75 k-5 2x
94 king cab

I'm watching it , but IMO the price is already too high for what it is and what it needs.

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?