Is the problem the distributor? Your help appreciated.

You have to start with the basics - air, fuel, ignition at the proper times.

The white smoke is indicative of a head gasket leak, probably unrelated to the stalling condition.

Maybe the battery or alternator? Slowing might lesson the charge thus stalling the car.

I doubt if its the battery or alternator because it would not re-start.

ok need some basic service and love for 10 year old toy. in edinburgh. any recommendations please?

thanks a.

I'll bet you damned carefully checked your spelling on this one before you hit send!... :)

--

-Gord.

"Perhaps my memory isn't what it used to be - if it ever was"

I had an intermittently open circuit winding in the distributor of my '88 supra, it got gradually worse over a six month period, Initially the car would sometimes not start instantly, but would start after being turned over a couple of times, then it would be fine for a few weeks. It gradually got worse and eventually cut out when running.

The engine computer gave a fault code ( I can't remember exactly what it was, something like "no G1, G2 or NE signal" )which enabled me to track it down.

It's quite likely however that my supra was the only one ever to have this particular fault, the electronics on Toyotas are supposedly very good.

The first thing to do is to check for error codes.

UK spec cars usually have fewer error codes than their American counterparts simply because there are fewer emission systems but the codes that are there seem to be the same.

A repair manual will explain how to read the codes.