1989 Toyota Tercel Code 71

1989 TOYOTA TERCEL
220,000 MILES • 1.5L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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ZAKTERCEL
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Recently had engine rebuilt and rebuilt carburetor was installed as well due to old carb settings stuck and wouldn't pass smog. All done by a mechanic, not myself. Immediately started getting a code 71. Mechanic thought it was bad EGR temp sensor and replaced it with a used one. Still getting the code. Also, doesn't start right up....need to crank a few times and push the gas multiple times. I bought a vacuum pump to do some testing, but not sure where to start. Also, I smell gas when I get out of the car, if that helps anyone.

Any suggestions? I don't have a lot of car experience, but am good at following directions!
Dec 5, 2014 at 12:20 PM
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HMAC300
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I t may need the float level set as it may be to high or the float if made of plastic may be sinking in float bowl. check for a vacuum leak like a hose going to egr or any hose split/cracked etc. do that first.
Dec 5, 2014 at 3:00 PM
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ZAKTERCEL
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Thanks HMAC. I will start there. Do you have a recommended way of doing that? Are you referring to a visual inspection? Like I said, I have a vacuum pump, but don't know if that is the best way to test.

Thanks!
Dec 5, 2014 at 9:44 PM
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HMAC300
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check visually first then feel for soft/ and maybe spray some choke cleaner around that system. It cold also be a bad switch or the egr may have junk in it and staying open.
Dec 6, 2014 at 5:48 AM
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ZAKTERCEL
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Hey HMAC (and anyone else reading....) -

I have some updates. Got a new carburetor and fuel pump and changed the O2 sensor. Was running great, but gas mileage still sucked. Smogged it and found that it was really rich and cat converter was not functioning. Adjusted the mixture screw and replaced cat converter. Passed smog with flying colors, but now is popping out the muffler on deceleration and gas mileage is still terrible, maybe worse (a little too soon to tell), whereas I thought I would see a dramatic improvement. Spark plugs have been changed recently and other than these two issues, it is running great.

I would really appreciate any thoughts.....
Mar 26, 2015 at 9:50 PM
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HMAC300
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popping out the muffler can be a few different things check the compression. it may be aburnt valve which would cause bad fuel mileage. also driving conditions and it may also be a vacuum leak.
Mar 27, 2015 at 7:39 AM
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ZAKTERCEL
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Thanks Hmac -

compression is good, engine recently rebuilt. And the popping didn't occur when the system was rich. If it was a vacuum leak, would the popping have occurred when it was rich as well?
Mar 27, 2015 at 9:20 AM
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HMAC300
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not really because the richness would be taking over for the vacuum leak and hiding it. it may be just that it's running leaner now an dmaybe a lower restriction exhaust system because you replaced the cat and they are not as restrictive as the one that came with your car. I can't think of anything else that would cause this except maybe an exhaust air leak someplace.
Mar 27, 2015 at 9:33 AM