GCNTSi

It seems that my Walbro 255 is dying, again. I rebuilt the engine just about a year ago, installed new Walbro with new filters, cleaned out the tank, removed conical filter, Triology Turbos regulator. Last month I ran the car almost empty then the pump began whinning bad, and losing pressure. So I just put a new 255 in and now about 2 weeks later, maybe 100 miles on it, I am getting pressure fluctuating while cruising, and it's begging to whine a little at idle. The pressure seems to drop to about 32 instead of 38 where I had it set at, but only some of the time. Anyone know what could cause this? I've checked the voltage to the pump and it's good, same as the battery. I'm wondering if it could be the regulator.? -GCNTSi.

I third that, I've been wanting to change those with something different for like 10 years! But electronics aren't my thing. -GCNTSi.

After sitting that long you shouldn't try to just start it up, unless a fuel additive/stabilizer was added but even then that is pretty long. You should drop the tank and inspect it for any rust inside. Replace the filters, clean the lines to and from the tank/ well just check that link I posted up there^^. -GCNTSi.

How long has the car been sitting? Or did it just die all of a sudden? Our cars don't power the pump just by turning them to ON, it's only powered while the engine is turning over, like while in the START position on the ignition switch. Or while the engine is running. There is a harness connector under the hood, behind the air filter box, just under the fender. It's a small black one wire plug, nothing plugged into it, there may still be a cap on it, but those are usually missing. First unplug the harness connector in the trunk that goes to the pump, then run a jumper wire from the Positive battery terminal to the small black connector plug and power will be supplied to the pump harness connector. If not then you have other problems. But most likely you need a new pump, filter and tank cleaning, if the car has sat for more than a year. Good write up here: http://starquest.i-x.net/viewtopic.php?t=1031 But you have to be logged on to see it, it's not hard to join there, and tons of good write-ups under SOS. -GCNTSi.

That is downright jaw dropping awesome! Hell of a car! Very nice. -GCNTSi.

Yeah I will drop the oil pan and look for any shavings. If nothing is visible I may check the rod bearings. But it will be a while before I can get to it, I gotta drive up to Boston area to pick up a motor I bought for my Land Rover, fun trip . Plus I still need to get a key for the car and get it towed to my house. It's at a buddy's yard for now since I have too many broken Mitsu's in my driveway right now, as usual. -GCNTSi.

Not me, I just found that one on the internet, but mine was sane color but GT. And the GT's (I believe) all had the better looking straight bumper front end. So you think you will ship your Star and take the drivetrain and put it into something else? Then what with the car? You might be better off having just your motor/tranny shipped over on a pallet. Plus their customs might try to seize/hold your Star. -GCNTSi.

"It won 18 of the 24 races I entered with it including the last 13 consecutive races in 1988-89. One of these was the very last road race at Talladega. Its lap records have never been broken at Talladega, Road Atlanta, and Texas World Speedway." Damn!!! Nice piece of history for us all in a museum. Sweet, nice find. -GCNTSi.

I can't believe you don't like the Celica front end!?! I thought they looked cool, kinda reminds me of the Starion Rally front end. And the hood opens up the other way, it's cool until it falls on you while bending over the engine after a gust of wind comes by. This was my very first car, 14 years old, I didn't even have a license when I bought it but we terrorized the neighborhood with that car! http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/8009/cel_yel1.JPG That is a ST but I think the GT front end looks better, it has chrome bumpers. And the 20R motor is a great motor. Hell of a car, we couldn't kill that thing, we constantly beat the hell out of it, jumped it a dozen times. But if you have these available over there I would definitely consider it. But I've heard to stay away from the 18R motors, if there is even any of those left. I can only imagine a 2JZ in one of these. I think I will soon try to get another one of those cars. -GCNTSi.

Looking Good! So what makes it a 85.5? What is the production date? -GCNTSi.

Yep it's a 5sp, 86, produced 8/85. It's weird I didn't even notice the newer looking chain guides before. That makes me wonder even more. So you say complete tear down huh? I am wondering just how much to do, I have had no luck with the machine shops around here and I'd rather avoid taking anything to them. No chance in just cleaning everything up good, as long as the bearings look good.? Or is the BS bearing material going to be everywhere? -GCNTSi.

I bought this car last week, couldn't resist myself. http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/BlackQuest/DSCN0423.jpg The guy said the engine just quit abruptly on him. It seems the balance shaft has seized, but I wonder if I can just do a BSE and try to run it like that, it's been sitting a few years so after cleaning the tank, pump, lines, and injectors. http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/BlackQuest/DSCN0428.jpg http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/BlackQuest/DSCN0429.jpg I guess it really matters on whether or not the engine was run with the oil pump not turning. The front of the shaft is snapped off which makes me think they may have tried to start it, breaking that off. But if they ran the engine like that it would make a horrible noise, I would think. So if they didn't run the engine like that, would it be OK to just try a BSE kit? On a side note this thing is in great condition, seats and interior are like new, no rust, body could use paint but great condition. The guy was taking it to the PickNPull, and my buddy that works there called me to tell me about it so I was able to save another from the crusher, for now at least. -GCNTSi.

Well I just got it towed from the lot I bought it from today. I'll probably start working on it next week to see if I can get it running again without fully rebuilding the motor. Balance shaft seized up. http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/BlackQuest/DSCN0423.jpg http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/BlackQuest/DSCN0422.jpg http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/BlackQuest/DSCN0424.jpg http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/BlackQuest/DSCN0425.jpg http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/BlackQuest/DSCN0426.jpg It's amazing how good shape this is in, the seats are the softest I've ever seen in any StarQuest, no rust at all, new tires, clutch, exhaust, and turbo. -GCNTSi.

It is also a 75amp. But I had mine tested and it was tested as good. So I need to track down what is causing my voltage to vary so much. I thought the regulator failed because when it was cold the volts would be just over 14, after warm it would drop to about 11. I'm gonna try to clean all the fusible link connections, and grounds. And see if tat helps. -GCNTSi.

Also, once you remove the torque converter you also need to remove the small little ring spacer like thing in the dead center of the crankshaft. Or else the flywheel won't mount flush causing much more problems. Don't ask me how I know. -GCNTSi.

Thanks mike c, the fuel pump is slowly failing, so I guess that's the problem. I'll know for sure once the new one comes in, probably next week. Thanks, -GCNTSi.

My O2 code occasionally comes on, when the car is fully warmed up, and the car runs like crap when it does. Can they be cleaned or should I replace it. I just rather not replace it since it's only about 6 months old. -GCNTSi.

I happen to have a 1Gen reman alternator on the shelf and I wonder if I can make it work. Everything seems to line up but the main mounting position is too wide on the 1G, I think I can find a spacer that will work. http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/DSCN0401.jpg http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/DSCN0402.jpg Anyone else used a 1G Alt? I searched but didn't find any talk of it. -GCNTSi.

Mine is basically the same, but it sits a little higher above the cowl. I don't know the part #, it's an Autometer Phantom. http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/DSCN0395.jpg http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l24/gcntsi/Quest%20Build/DSCN0398.jpg I did have to drill just a small amount of metal out, under the plastic cowl, then hit it with some paint to stop rust from forming. Just remember to be very careful removing the plastic cowl as they will easily break, check the FSM for the locations of the clips. -GCNTSi.

You do mean 10* below TDC right? You might want to check this out: http://www.starquestclub.com/forum/index.p...8&hl=timing -GCNTSi.

So what was the timing set at? How does the engine temp look? Does it get above halfway at all? Glowing red to the point that you could hit it with a hammer and reshape it sounds pretty extreme. And just normal driving usually doesn't produce any glowing, at least in my experience. Especially with unclogged exhaust. I would try to take it easy on it for now, and hookup the EGT soon. -GCNTSi.

I hope it's only glowing after driving hard and boosting hard. And it should only be visible in very dark conditions. Otherwise you may be pushing too high EGTs (exhaust gas temperature's), which they make sensors/gauges for. This could be from running lean, or from timing being off. But I suspect your pushing through a restrictive factory exhaust that you should replace/upgrade. -GCNTSi.

I have been happy with my Autometer mounted on the cowl so I can see the pressure increase with boost, while driving. It was a little big at first but it doesn't block any important view. If you like I can post pics of it tomorrow. -GCNTSi.

It's kinda funny, when I went to look at the first Starion I bought it was listed in the local classifieds and when I was going to look at it I thought the Starion might have been one of those Sigmas. I coundn't remember for sure if the Starion was the cool looking one or not. I was just gonna keep driving if it was the Sigma car. But instead it was a bad looking silver Star that I bought a few days later. But five years later, well see below: -GCNTSi.

I heard that this guy claimed that he was importing "parts" and not a whole car, that's why they came after him. If you do it right you can have a legal JDM Rhd car registered and insured in the states. But Texas is hard on the Jap imports, I met a buddy in Houston to help drive a Silvia back to FL last year, and the customs/border patrol guys stopped him (in Houston) and checked all his papers. On a side not those are very fun cars to drive, kinda scary to ride in them, it feels like you should be driving since your sitting on the left, but yet you have no control. It takes some getting use to, but it's fun. -GCNTSi.