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1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration


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Sebastian96
Novice

Mar 8, 2015, 4:26 PM

Post #1 of 11 (2080 views)
1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

I bought a 1986 1.3L Suzuki Sierra last year with 53,000kms on it, besides it overheating when I drove it home due to a leaking radiator the car went relatively well.

Since then I replaced the radiator, bushes under the handles of the transmission shifter handle and the transfer case handle (hopefully that makes sense), new fuel filter, new oil filter, new heater core, had the alternator tested and it's working fine, all new oils.

After doing all that I took the car for a drive and when I got into 3rd/4th/5th gear the car began losing power, engine revs and speed started dropping. I was told I should replace my spark plugs, and I did. After that the car went fine in 3rd/4th/5th however except this time I can push the accelerator down about 90% of the way, if I push it the last 10% the car starts to lose power, if I let it off a little bit to within the 90% it starts accelerating again, foot down the last 10% and it starts to lose power.

I have noticed a spark outside the distributor, and also I rechecked my fuel filter and after taking it for a test drive the fuel filter is really dirty again! I pulled off the fuel pump and I think it looks okay, the only thing worth maybe mentioning was there was a slight mix of fuel and engine oil and the rocker arm was quite hard to push in and out.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Mar 8, 2015, 5:27 PM

Post #2 of 11 (2072 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

That vehicle is not sold here in the states, so advice is limited.


If the fuel filter keeps clogging up, maybe you should pull the fuel tank and see what is going on in there. You could also have a rubber hose deteriorating. What ever is floating around in the tank could end up in the carburetor, so you may need to go through that too.

Another possibility is a restriction in the exhaust. If this has an O2 sensor you could screw in a back pressure gauge to see if you have excessive back pressure. If it doesn't have an O2 sensor, you might have to weld in a bung or find another way to measure back pressure.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Sebastian96
Novice

Mar 8, 2015, 5:37 PM

Post #3 of 11 (2069 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

Well America released the Suzuki Samurai, which is the American equivalent basically. If that helps?

Also is there any simple way of checking the carburetor for signs it may need cleaning, I really want to try and make sure I fix what actually needs fixing because I have seen so many different suggestions, and I could spend a lot of money before finding the issue.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Mar 8, 2015, 5:47 PM

Post #4 of 11 (2066 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

You did buy an old vehicle that has problems, so your going to be spending money to keep it alive.

You really need to find out why the filter keeps getting trashed. That would be your first priority.

There is an art to overhauling or doing carb work. If you suspect a carb issue, the only way is to take the top off and look in the bowl to see if there is trash in there. You could have clogged air bleeds or mains or any number of issues.
Some carbs have primary and secondaries. If it runs fine on the primary and you gun it and it goes into the secondary and bogs out. That is a sign the carb needs attention or you have a fuel supply issue.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 8, 2015, 5:51 PM)


Sebastian96
Novice

Mar 8, 2015, 5:58 PM

Post #5 of 11 (2061 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

Okay thanks a lot for the suggestion!

Do you think this would be an appropriate method of going through it?

I was thinking I'll pull the fuel tank out, flush it by just tipping petrol through, replace fuel lines, replace fuel filter, then if I'm still having issues perhaps change fuel pump and then lastly carburetor? also could I put a small filter between pump and carburetor so if I do have the same issue I can avoid getting the carburetor dirty?


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Mar 8, 2015, 6:05 PM

Post #6 of 11 (2058 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

Sure you could install a filter between the pump and carb. I think you have a good plan with pulling the tank and having a look inside.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 8, 2015, 7:29 PM

Post #7 of 11 (2050 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

Fuel in oil too! Could be trouble with lots and must have good clean fuel delivered to a very expensive carb just looking at it gives me a headache and used to redo plenty but not so much the 1/2 and 1/2 with electric controls - better one or the other.


Take a look.........

That top plate MUST open wide when warmed up quickly (choke) or it will dump raw fuel all the time and bog out - any would just this is a pita now for any parts if needed and insanely expensive BTW. Like $500US - yikes! Check around if needed in your area for non US specs also.


See if you can find a see thru fuel filter inline between pump and carb or I would for this,


T



Sebastian96
Novice

Mar 8, 2015, 8:58 PM

Post #8 of 11 (2046 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

Thanks for the suggestion, I pulled the top cover of the carb off and I pulled the accelerator cable and as I pull it, it slowly opens up and I can see a squirt of petrol enter the carb everytime I pull it, although it does look a little dirty inside my carb I'm not sure if it's enough to cause issues but I could be wrong. Also I noticed my muffler is making a rattling sound when I hit it with my hand, is that normal?




Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 8, 2015, 9:35 PM

Post #9 of 11 (2041 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

Carb is dirty so clean that up. I'm worried about the fuel in oil most & problems from that to be ruled out. That alone can ruin the engine and you can stop if so and seek other solutions. If light enough oil or way too full oil would be harmful to a disaster.


That top plate when cold if you just tap accelerator pedal should snap shut but push open by a finger - cold, engine off. You should see that plate open upon start and in a couple minutes stand straight up - it probably doesn't and that will be the problem and other problems because of that to be found.


Muffler? You mean it sounds like it's full of rocks or something inside or possible heat shielding rattle from outside it? Inside baffles can rust all out or catch crap from up ahead of it.


I may be off on the wrong thoughts on this but the oil and fuel mixing has to be checked out. Compression check this engine. Looks of that carb suggests excessive blow-by now possibly from cylinder wash. May have all started with a choke issue and wrecked this engine so check as much as you can to pick plan.


If oil is getting in air intake that's a bad sign for this thing engine wise. You need to know before you attack with wasted work if a lost cause and might not be at all just have to know.........


T



Sebastian96
Novice

Mar 8, 2015, 11:44 PM

Post #10 of 11 (2035 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

Yeah well I appreciate the help, I agree. So what do you believe may be the cause for fuel and engine oil to be mixing?

I pulled off the fuel pump and in the head there was a slight mix of oil and fuel, which I've heard is a sign of either a stuffed fuel pump or maybe something in the engine causing it to push oil through the pin that sits against the rocker arm of the fuel pump.

Also, I did an engine compression test approximately 2 weeks ago and I got between 120 - 130 among the 4 of them.

The sound from inside the muffler isn't a metal sound, more along the lines of dirt and maybe a little gravel.

Also this car although being a 1986, has only done 53,000km's.



This is inside the fuel tank, no rust and looked to me little if any dirt, there is a small amount but only due to me accidentally letting some fall in. Which is strange cause after I put a new fuel filter on it, it got probably 10kms before being filled with crap again!



Here is a picture of the muffler, almost looks like its trying to split.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 9, 2015, 2:22 AM

Post #11 of 11 (2023 views)
Re: 1986 Suzuki Sierra loses power under acceleration Sign In

Fuel in oil can happen at the fuel pump itself. It mounts to engine and purposely exposed to oily fumes to lube it and if inside the diaphragm is violated can spit fuel out or into crankcase - mixed and the oil gets so thin it's no longer a lubricant or very good at it. That's a concern.


For compression that seem low so you need to add a squirt of oil (was hoping you'd post before oil squirt and after results) then pressures will no doubt spike up quite a bit as that seals rings to cylinder walls that could be excessively worn in turn blow by and the oil in your intake. Those are horrible signs for an engine. Doesn't take many miles/kms at all.


Muffler is junk and any pipes that go with it. There probably was a heat shield long gone where it's the worst now with straps. I doubt that's the up-front problem with this in general.


I just want you to know realistic engine condition so YOU can decide how far to go with that one or another if need be.


That or maybe some tricks to just get it to run OK for a decent while - that would always be what you expect for what investment in work on it.


Fuel pump again - get rid of that now as it real high on the list of the gas/oil issue and shouldn't be expensive or difficult. New oil and filter once again too if still driving this, or count on it for transportation,


T







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