Vehicle Stalls at slow down

Tiny
PAMLA
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 ISUZU AMIGO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 113,000 MILES
I have a 1992 Amigo Isuzu. It is running rich. Also when I put my foot on the clutch to slow down, it stalls. It runs fine in 1st and 2nd gear. My engine light is on and someone told me it was a code 23 so it needed a new computer. I did not trust them. The local Autozone cannot test the trouble light due to the age of the truck. I do not have a fuel injection system. I know for a fact the fuel sensor does not work properly so this may be the reason for the engine light. The truck has always idled high. Perhaps it could just be idled too low? I have put in a new gas filter (inline and carb), new spark plugs and wires, new oxygen sensor. The fuel pump has less than 200 miles. The carb is fairly new but the gasket was bad. I actually had to use a disposal gasket since I could not find one. I cleaned the EGR valve. It sat up for a year so I have put in gas cleaners and changed the inline filter 3x. I just want to get it running so I can sell it! It does smoke but the smoke does not have a smell.
Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 8:26 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Is the smoke black? Have you checked for vacuum leaks? Is the choke sticking?
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Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 AT 4:17 AM
Tiny
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The smoke is white. I have changed out some of the vacuum hoses and I cannot detect any leaks. This is my first experience at working on a vehicle mechanically:). I don't think the choke is sticking. It seems more like it is running out of gas. There is a strong fuel smell as well.
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Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 AT 3:49 PM
Tiny
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I idled the carb a little higher and the truck is no longer stalling when I slow down to stop. However, I now notice smoke coming from under the engine and it seems very hot.

I checked the radiator and it seems fine. I cannot tell where the smoke is coming from but it seems to be on the left side of the truck where the emmissions stuff is located.
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Thursday, December 16th, 2010 AT 2:27 PM
Tiny
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I thought I would mention that the engine is now reving up and down. I think I have figured out the problem. I believe it is a bad EGR valve. I'll install a new one and go from there. Hopefully, my testing will help someone else.
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Thursday, December 16th, 2010 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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The EGR can cause issues. Let me know what you find.
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Thursday, December 16th, 2010 AT 11:51 PM
Tiny
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The new EGR valve is installed. Veh still sounded like it had a vacuum leak. Replaced all the vacuum lines. Did found one vacuum plug blown and replaced that as well. NOW the vehicle is making a "pop pop" noise. Will it ever end? What could I have done to create this popping noise when I just changed out the EGR valve and vacuum hoses? Vehicle is still running rough. HELP!
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Friday, December 17th, 2010 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
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Does the popping noise come from the intake area or the exhaust? As far as anything you could have done, there really isn't anything.
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Sunday, December 19th, 2010 AT 12:44 AM
Tiny
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The white smoke is coming from the exhaust. When I listen under the hood, it sounds like there may be a spark plug misfiring. I put on new spark plugs and wires about a week ago.

I tried putting carb spray on all the hoses and intake area but did not seem to leak.

The guy at Advance Auto tells me the new EGR valve may be bad since I did not have the "popping" sound before and such a large amount of smoke. I am going to put my old ERG valve back on and see if it goes back to the way it was (running rough and blowing just a little smoke occasionally). If so, I will take it back for a replacement.

What do you think might be more likely: 1) Spark Plug misfiring or 2) Vacuum Leak or 3)Timing is off at timing belt. Or do you think it is something else?

I have actually enjoyed learning thru error on fixing this blasted truck. It's like a challenging puzzle.
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Sunday, December 19th, 2010 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
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Also.A guy at Advance Auto asked if I had made sure the fuel to air ratio on the carb was calerbrated properly. What do you think of that one. I did not even know about the screw other than adjusting the idle.
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Sunday, December 19th, 2010 AT 1:56 PM
Tiny
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The air / fuel ratio is adjustable. The screws (if I remember correctly) will be on the bottom front of the carb. I have attached a picture of a carb. Let me know if it is the same as the one on your vehicle.

One concern is this. At the bottom of the carb is the throttle shaft. Years and miles can cause them to wear and allow vacuum leaks. I'm starting to question that.

Take a look and let me know.
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Monday, December 20th, 2010 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
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Thank you. I will take a look for the screws. The carb is fairly new. It was built for the truck because we could not find one new or rebuilt. Today I discovered the new (#1) spark plug was not firing & was wet; however, when I got the new spark plug wire close, but not attached, the veh suddenly ran better. I replaced that spark plug and it is not smoking even half as badly and is running much, much smoother. I think the new spark plug had a short or something. However, the vehicle still makes light "pop pops" and the fuel smell is quite bad. It is obviously still running rich. I will let you know how it goes on the carb. Adjustment.
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Monday, December 20th, 2010 AT 11:43 PM
Tiny
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When you cause the spark to arc to the plug, it creates a hotter spark at the plug. That is why it did that. If it is fouling plugs, either the air fuel mixture is wrong or you have a float that is allowing too much fuel into the carb or the needle and seat are not shuting the fuel supply off fully. It souldn't be dumping that much fuel. Pamla, make sure the choke isn't closing. If you look at the picture I sent, it is at the top of the carb, a metal flap that opens and closes. It should be closed when the engine is cold and the outside temps are cold. Once the vehicle warms up, that should be open.

Let me know.
Joe
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
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I looked at the carb and while the vehicle was off, the flap was closed. I started the truck and while the temp gadge was still at "cold", the flap opened. I don't think the engine had time to warm up. I closed the flap with the vehicle running and it would slowly open back up. Could this be an indicator since the engine was still cold? Here is a top down photo of the carb.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
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Here is another view of my carburator. Do you think the air/fuel ratio can be adjusted?
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Friday, December 24th, 2010 AT 7:30 PM
Tiny
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What you described is normal. From the picture I see what is called a vacuum pull off. It's job is to open the choke a little at a time as the vehicle runs. As far as the air fuel issue, there has to be an adjustment. I just spent 30 minutes trying to find them and can't. However, have to tell you, everything I looked up pointed to three areas to check, the PCV, fuel sensor, and the EVAP canister. I was, after 30 minutes, able to find the air fuel mixture. It is covered by a cap that needs drilled out. I have attached a picture of it for you to see. It may require that you remove the carb to access it. One other thing of concern is the gasket you used. You mentioned that you couldn't find the OEM gasket so you used something different. Are you certain it sealed?

The vehicle looks new. If you were near PA I would buy it from you (if it's 4wd). I'm sick of getting stuck on my driveway (lol). It's 700' long and up hill. However, I never seem to have trouble going down it. But, usually I'm spinning in circles by the end.

Let me know if you can check the things I mentioned.

Joe
PS: I hope you had a good Christmas!
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Sunday, December 26th, 2010 AT 7:16 AM
Tiny
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Hi again. I tested the PCV per the manual and it seemed to be working fine. My son changed the air/fuel ratio on the carb and that seems to have done the job! It is running better than it ever has and is not smoking. I checked the oil and it is dark considering it just had an oil change. Hopefully, it was just cleaning out the system. Anyway, I feel better about putting the truck up for sale. The vehicle is a 2x2 but is a beauty inside and out. It was my husband's "toy" before he passed away so it only has 114,000 miles. I, unfortunately, let it sit for 2 years so this has caused all these problems. Thanks for all your help! If you ever come to this part of Florida, I will take you sailing! Happy New Year.
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Monday, December 27th, 2010 AT 10:07 PM
Tiny
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I think I just figured out the dark oil problem. The spark plug was fouling before and fuel was getting into the #1 plug. The oil now seems to be overfull. I would think I now need to do a complete oil change again. Maybe it will eventually end!
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Monday, December 27th, 2010 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
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.I will also mention that you previously suggested if the air/fuel ratio was off, it would cause too much fuel to be dumped and end up fouling the spark plug. Looks that (hopefully) that was the problem. I will keep my fingers crossed that it is not a blown head gasket!
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Monday, December 27th, 2010 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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First, I'm sorry to hear about your husband. You look very young in the picture, so he too must have been young.

As far as Florida, don't tempt me. I'm near Pittsburgh and hate this time of the year. All I do is plow my driveway. I live on a hill surrounded by mountains, but the snow loves to drift here. I HATE IT! Plus, at 45, I'm getting tired of the cold weather and cleaning a 700 foot driveway. Plus there is way too much grass to cut.

In addition to being ASE certified and running a shop for my friend on weekends and nights, I am a school teacher. I teach 12th grade and love it! My days of working full time as a tech passed 15 years ago, but I keep up to date with new technology and like I said I still work in a shop every week. It keeps me going. However, I was offered a full time teaching job 30 miles from VA beach. I almost took it, but had just finished building my home and wasn't ready to move. At some point, I plan to move south, and if you're still around, I will take you up on that boat ride (if I can still walk)lol.

As far as the oil, change it again. Chances are it is dirty because fuel was getting into it from running too rich and the misfire. If it is overfull, that tells me you have fuel mixed with it, so I hate to say it, but change it again.

Pamla, it has been a pleasure talking with you and I hope I helped in some way. Thanks for using 2carpros. Com, have a great New Years, and make sure to get top dollar for the vehicle. It looks new. And maybe, someday I'll be in Florida and have the chance to meet you. Until then, take care and let me know if you ever have questions in the future.

Joe
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Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 AT 2:17 AM

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