I've got a newly acquired 1983 Toyota with a 22R and it takes quite a while to get it to fully turn over. It takes just the right amount of gas pedal feathering to get it going. Once it does start, it runs extremely rough until it is warmed up.

Now that it is colder here in Colorado, it won't turn over at all. I replaced the battery and the bad alternator before it got cold so the truck was working (as it is).

Is the starter my next step or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks all.

Sean

I have a 83 and a 87 w/a 22R. The 83 has over 345K and runs like a top. If it won't start than here is what I would look at. Pull and clean and gap your plugs, I am amazed how that will help the 22R. Is your distributer cap clean on the inside and when was the last time you checked your timing? When the trucks get old and they sit for some time the manual fuel pumps loose their ability to pump because the diaphram material starts to crack and suck air. They pumps on mine are run off the cam and cost about 25 bucks. I have had to replace both once. If the starter works than I bet your battery is either weak or your connection between the battery and the starter is dirty or corroded. I found my wire from my positive cable had worn / eaten by corrosion over the years to a few strands. I had replaced the starter and finally found the corroded cable and it starts perfectly. Over the years I adjusted the valves a few times and it always runs better after that too but wouldn't cause a starting problem.

Thanks for the reply! The truck is a recent acquisition so I've not checked the timing yet. Battery is new and so is the alternator so I'll check the plugs, distro, fuel pump, and timing and go from there.

Thanks again for the advise!

Sean

I miss 83 Toy :(

We are talking a 22R ( carburated ) and not a 22RE ( injected ) right ? However, in either case it sounds like you have a lack of cold start enrichment. On a carburated engine you would be looking at the choke system, make sure the choke flap closes after you first set the throttle to the floor (cold).
I have seen choke problems where a choke will stick closed and the simple fix is to simply wire it open, make sure no-one done a mickey mouse repair. Also make sure your warm air tube is intact ( fibre tube from neck of air cleaner to exhaust manifold ).

On an injected engine you would need to look at the 5th injector located at the back of the intake manifold which is used for cold start enrichment. It could be a bad injector, loose wiring or a lost cold start signal caused by the ecm or a temperature sensor. If either of these two enrichment methods are not working properly then the engine will have a tough cold start and require feathering the throttle to keep it going until warmed up.

Other problems such as fuel pump/filter/timing/spark plugs/coil/wires/ EGR valve etc. will also cause warm running issues as well. I would lean toward the cold start enrichment first.

Thanks HV. It is a 22R and I'll check the butterly to ensure it is operating properly. Thanks for the other tips too.

Sean