Hard Starting

[toyota99]

Starting up 90 tercel is getting worse in the mornings. It takes longer to crank with more sputtering than usual. My mechanic says it could be the carb. What can I do. Also the idling changes from low to high almost frequently. Thanks.

[rhynes]

These cars have problems, no doubt... Seems like all mechanics (toyota or otherwise) point to the carb when the problems usually occur elsewhere.
First off, check all your vaccuum hoses for leakage, especially the larger ones. Do a full tune up as well.
Timing is very important, make sure it's on. New plugs never hurt.

The EGR valve has a tendancy to get cligged up as well, consult a haynes manual to remove and clean it. These are the general maintenance and should be done anyway.

If your idle is changing, check the MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor and you may want to consider replacing the Oxygen sensor as well...

I'm still fighting a lag problem with a friends but everything else is working great now, fuel milage is way up and engine has plenty of power.