Aloha,

Last week on freeway my temp gauge spiked to 3/4 and then back down to normal. No white smoke, power was ok. Check engine light on as well as battery. Far from home I kept going (dumb!), when I came to my exit and slowed down to 30mph the engine cut out.

No steam, no coolant in oil, but would not start. Had it towed to local repair shop (5 miles from home now) and they replaced the serpentine belt and water pump. Engine would not start and they said blown head gasket was preventing starting and quoted me 4k to repair.

They said gasket problem was confirmed by removing the spark plugs and they saw coolant blown out of cylinders, but couldn't tell me which ones.

My experience has been that head gasket problems don't happen to all the cylinders at the same time.

I've had my 4Runner since new, 17 years and 152k miles ago, a great car. I'm not opposed to fixing it but the local value is around $3,500, so the math is not favorable.

2003 SR5 V6 2WD Auto.

Question and opinions - can a blown head gasket prevent the engine from starting? Any other suggestions would be welcome.

Strictly speaking, a blown head gasket will not prevent the engine from starting.

If the cylinder is full of liquid coolant and/or oil, the engine may be hydraulically locked and starting would likely not be possible.

If, during the overheat, something mechanically seized and subsequently bent or distorted, engine starting may be affected.

Thanks for reply _chassis_

After the tow home I found the shop didn’t bother to put the plugs back in (grr). I cranked the engine a few times and only noticed a little coolant around the left rear (#6?) cylinder. Had new plugs (nothing unexpected looking about the old plugs), so put them in.

Engine cranks but will not start. Crankcase oil still no sign of coolant. Pulled battery out (parked on street) to charge. Battery new 3/19.

Checked the fuses and relays that other forum posts pointed out, swapped those related to EFI with others with same part number. I listened for fuel pump noises, which I have heard many times in 17 years. Can’t hear the pump, but it can be a noisy street.

Going to use starter fluid today, if the engine fires the problem is fuel supply, pretty sure...

Question is what then?

I don’t want to randomly replace parts, but if I can get old reliable going again, even with a leaking head gasket, I might be inspired to do the head gaskets and machine work.

Thanks in advance- Alan

Used starter fluid and thought I heard/felt a slight ignition. Also listened early Sunday morning without traffic noise and did not hear any fuel pump sound.

Pulled a line just before black “filter”, cranked engine no fuel coming out. Not sure if it’s the right line yet.

What is best way to check fuel supply without using a pressure gauge?

Thanks in advance!

Did the shop do a compression check or leak down test? I have had head gaskets go and make starting the motor a PITA, but they will run... Poorly. Did they trip an inertia switch when towing?

Hi and thanks!

No tests, just said they saw coolant sprayed out when plugs were out.

It has been doing this (turning over but not starting) since shutting down on freeway exit, when I slowed to about 30mph. So do not think a switch was tripped, but will have to lookup inertia switch for my model 4Runner.

Unlikely that there is a fuel delivery issue.

The spark plugs have been removed, so focus there.

Are all spark plugs fully seated? Are you sure?

Are all coil packs installed correctly? Are you sure?

Plugs are back in, replaced with new plugs, all seated.

It was running at 50-55 on freeway, including going up and down a substantial grade. I braked for stop at end of exit ramp, it cut out suddenly.

The problem affected the engine as a whole all at once. Which suggests to me, fuel cutoff, or complete ignition cutoff, not individual bad plugs or coils.

Thanks guys, it’s bugging me!

Turned out it was the head gasket, confirmed by removing the coolant cap, filling the radiator to the brim, and cranking the motor over. Coolant shot up out of the open radiator when the engine tried to fire.

Cost to repair ranged from 2-4K and with the local Bluebook value at 3.5K, it wasn’t worth it to me. Called a donation broker, told them the whole story, and that I wanted any net value to be given to Goodwill. They towed it away a few days later. My 2WD SR5 was very good good vehicle and I miss her.

Been looking around, reading reviews, and going on a few test drives. Right now debating between the 2019 Honda Passport Touring and the 2020 4Runner TRD Off-Road. The Passport is a smooth highway ride with better gas mileage, but the ability to really get off the Interstate has a lot of appeal for me. Just have to wait until the 2020’s become available.