Hello Guest

Samurai Newbie questions

  • 21 Replies
  • 5498 Views

0 Members and 5 Guests are viewing this topic.

*

Offline 02CalTaco

  • 196
  • 4
  • Gender: Male
Samurai Newbie questions
« on: October 26, 2011, 08:03:45 PM »
So, I recently got a 86 tin top, unfortunately under the circumstances I don't feel entirely confident with my purchase. Anyway I'm thinking I'll try to sell it (not sure yet) but there are a few things I would like to take care of to make it more attractive.

 First is a oil leak that I still need to track down, I was led to believe its coming from the oil pan gasket. It also has a small coolant leak at the top of the radiator, is there a common failure point on these radiators? Where is a good place to source an inexpensive replacement? Next on cold start up it doesn't kick up to a fast idle, I have to keep my foot on the gas to keep it running and it's rough, smells rich but no smoke. Any ideas on what to check? It starts right up and idles fine when warm.  I also notice while accelerating, at lower rpm I feel a slight sputter maybe hesitation, could this just need that tsb venturi? It has a shackle lift, I'm guessing 2", do stock length shocks work with this and what is a common tire size for this size lift? One more question (for now) , where could I find the piece that holds the rear side window on the the hinge, button looking piece?

Thanks.
« Last Edit: October 26, 2011, 08:46:06 PM by 02CalTaco »

*

Offline ack

  • 1659
  • 34
  • Gender: Male
  • Professional askhole
    • Ack's FAQ
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2011, 05:47:42 PM »
I can only respond to the radiator issue with authority.

DO NOT REPLACE THAT RADIATOR!

Unless I am totally FOS, that is an all-metal radiator - the best kind to have!

All you need to do is take it to a radiator shop and have it disassembled, rodded out then re-soldered back together.

Around 100 bucks later you have a reliable, excellent-cooling radiator that is OEM.

I hope that this helps!
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

*

Offline 02CalTaco

  • 196
  • 4
  • Gender: Male
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2011, 07:16:51 PM »
I can only respond to the radiator issue with authority.

DO NOT REPLACE THAT RADIATOR!

Unless I am totally FOS, that is an all-metal radiator - the best kind to have!

All you need to do is take it to a radiator shop and have it disassembled, rodded out then re-soldered back together.

Around 100 bucks later you have a reliable, excellent-cooling radiator that is OEM.

I hope that this helps!

Thanks for the help. I'm surprised your the only person on this forum that has any input.
I was already planning on taking the radiator out and having it checked out, guy at the shop said he would check it for free. Its the cost of the repair I'm worried about, I guess it will be cheaper than another used one or a new replacement.

Now if I can get some info on the other issues.

*

Offline Capt

  • 738
  • 28
  • Gender: Male
  • LIFT IT ! .......Fat Chicks CAN'T JUMP !!
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2011, 07:37:51 PM »
The Carb, if its a Hatachi OEM unit, when they get older with a lot of miles,
 can cause all sorts of issues. Also, the ECM uses several sensors to RUN the carb,
If even one sensor is out, you will be "Chasing Ghosts", so take it to a Good Shop,
to see what needs to be replaced or repaired. Then go from there.

CAPT

*

Offline ack

  • 1659
  • 34
  • Gender: Male
  • Professional askhole
    • Ack's FAQ
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2011, 07:27:01 PM »
Another thing you can do before piling on the money it, re-plumb the Hiatchi's vacuum lines.  less than 15 bucks for 3 feet of vacuum line...


Check out this page for vacuum line info:

http://www.acksfaq.com/Samvacuumlines.htm


I hope that this helps!
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

*

Offline FBJR

  • 99
  • 1
  • Gender: Male
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2011, 02:00:17 PM »
You can get a new radiator for $100, so be careful there. A new one is still better than a 25 year old one that may just got again.

Check the back of the block under the distributor for oil. A common leak and it will run down the block coming out all over.
I think I had a motorcycle that was heavier!!

*

Offline Skyhiranger

  • 3734
  • 122
  • I don't buy, what I can build
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2011, 04:57:11 PM »
On the last carbed samurai that I replaced the vacuum lines on, it took about 10 feet of vacuum line.  If you are going to replace some of the vacuum lines, you might as well replace all of it.
Tracker and Sidekick parts for sale.....PM me with your wants/needs.

*

Offline 02CalTaco

  • 196
  • 4
  • Gender: Male
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2011, 02:26:19 PM »
I'll take a look at the vacuum lines, but wouldn't a bad vac line cause it to run rough all the time, not just on cold start up? 

I havnt looked yet but after reading some posts it seems a common oil leak place is the crank seal.

 I need to do a timing belt service soon and like to use factory brand parts (aisin, denso,ngk etc.). Where are some good sources for factory parts at good prices. Or timing belt kits that include quality parts that people have used and trust, at a good price.

Another thing ive found is that the fuel gauge is not accurate, sending unit? And the sensor light and 4wd lights don't come on when the key is turned on. Can this just be a bulb or not likely?

*

Offline 02CalTaco

  • 196
  • 4
  • Gender: Male
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2011, 05:53:17 PM »
still no answers.....well i got some time today and started the oil clean up underneath,it will be a little while before I can find where its coming from but as of now I would say from the front. I was also able to see where the radiator leak is but wasnt able to make it down to the shop to see if its repairable.

It looks like the choke plate isnt closing but it moves freely with my finger. This is probably part of my cold start problem. I see a small amount of coolant coming from the piece that I think is supposed to close the choke. I noticed a couple other things that dont look right in the engine bay, ill try to post pics if I get a chance.

Im really starting to stress on this rig, Im not really in a position to take on an older vehicle like this, Im afraid its going to eat up too much time and money :'(. If I wasnt in cali it wouldnt be as bad, but I have to try and smog this thing still.

*

Offline ack

  • 1659
  • 34
  • Gender: Male
  • Professional askhole
    • Ack's FAQ
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2011, 06:15:41 PM »
You can get a new radiator for $100, so be careful there. A new one is still better than a 25 year old one that may just got again.

The problem with a new radiator is that you can't get one that is all metal without paying a lot!

Plastic is a wonderful substance, but the first time your plastic top or bottom cap gets smacked by a flying stone or the adhesive job fails, you end up with a large $100 paperweight.  I had a plastic radiator in a 4-door '93 sidekick fail on me when the adhesive seal on the top cap disintegrated.

My 23-year-old all-metal Samurai radiator is running perfectly after only one dissassembly and cleaning - which cost 75 bucks in 2003.

Naturally, you mileage may vary, some settling may occur during shipment, 0.9 percent APR available to well-qualified buyers...
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

*

Offline 02CalTaco

  • 196
  • 4
  • Gender: Male
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2011, 08:34:12 AM »
« Last Edit: November 01, 2011, 08:46:44 AM by 02CalTaco »

*

Offline ack

  • 1659
  • 34
  • Gender: Male
  • Professional askhole
    • Ack's FAQ
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2011, 07:31:49 PM »
Your link didn't turn up anything that matched for me...  Pesky Internets!

That said, if you can buy an all-metal replacement radiator for your tintop for aroound $100, I'd say "Go for it!"

Just letting you know that you DO have a workable alternative to a new radiator in your old radiator if your existing one isn't damaged in the heat exchanger area...
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

*

Offline 02CalTaco

  • 196
  • 4
  • Gender: Male
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2011, 07:48:35 PM »
Your link didn't turn up anything that matched for me...  Pesky Internets!

That said, if you can buy an all-metal replacement radiator for your tintop for aroound $100, I'd say "Go for it!"

Just letting you know that you DO have a workable alternative to a new radiator in your old radiator if your existing one isn't damaged in the heat exchanger area...


The screw is pointing to the area where it leaks, a hairline crack about 4" long. I'm not sure what would cause this.

*

Offline mrfuelish

  • *
  • 2862
  • 13
  • Gender: Male
  • you must have a perception problem.
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2011, 10:27:10 AM »
A Bad thermostat will do that, it's called oil canning like the oil cans that they used in the old days for oiling stuff where you push on the bottom of the can to get oil out, A bad Thermostat will do the same thing to your radiator as it opens and closes.
1987,1988,1988,1990 samurai's,  1953 m38a1,  1996 x-90,blue.1996 x-90 red.1994 2 door tracker.   only Dead Fish go with the flow.                No Hairy Nosed Wombats were ran over on the trail today.       My ZUK is Xenophobic.

*

Offline Drone637

  • *
  • 8121
  • 116
  • Gender: Male
  • Evil Cow
Re: Samurai Newbie questions
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2011, 04:05:20 PM »
When you said the fuel gauge is not accurate, you mean it doesn't work or just not very well?  A lot of issues on the Samurai electrical system can be traced down to bad grounds, since everything is ground driven.  Make sure you have good grounding straps and check the grounds under the dash if you have random electrical issues.

For timing belts, I just go with Autozone specials and replace them every 60,000 miles.  But if you want a good source for OEM parts, Hawk Suzuki and Low Range Off-Road are both good choices.  Low Range has a great web sight and quality customer service, and Hawk Suzuki can get you just about any part and make sure it is right the first time.

Leaks from the front of the engine are usually the front main seal, leaks in the back are usually the distributor o-ring.  Both relatively easy fixes.

As for the response time, give it a full day at least.  It takes a while for people to get on the board and take a look depending on what real life is throwing around.
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing