1990 Toyota Celica problem

[Kevin]

Hi --

I have a 1990 Toyota Celica GT liftback, 2.2 liter,
16 valve, EFI, 5 speed manual. 237k miles -- I hope
to get it to 250k. It's got a problem:

When cold, it starts right up. When hot, it starts but
turns over a long time.

At all temperatures, but more pronounced when it's warm,
the car skips, surges and bucks like Elvis . For example,
at highway speeds, the engine stops delivering power for
a second or so, then surges forward. The cycle repeats
over about a second, making the car buck like I'm pressing
on the gas, then briefly hitting the brake. My foot pressure
is constant on the gas all the time.

I can make the problem stop by playing with the gas pedal.
But it starts again after a short while. I can't relate the
problem to car speed -- it seems to happen when the engine
is running up about 3000 rpm.

Any help? Thx ..

Kevin

[r***@vt.edu]

Post by Kevin
When cold, it starts right up. When hot, it starts but
turns over a long time.

Possibly a bad coolant temp sensor? The computer thinks
the engine hasn't warmed up and this makes it run too rich.
Try flooring the gas pedal when starting hot, if that works,
it sounds like a too rich condition.

Post by Kevin
At all temperatures, but more pronounced when it's warm,
the car skips, surges and bucks like Elvis . For example,

Could also be a vacuum leak somewhere, or the list of
other possibilities gets really large. If you are not
getting a "check engine" light I would guess something
basic like a vacuum leak or plugged exhaust or something.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.