Coolant in the Intake Manifold? Help!!

[Dr342]

1993 4Runner 2WD auto 6 Cylinder. 140K on her. Pulled into a parking spot today and when I went to restart the truck, the engine gave off a massive white smoking cloud of burnt something or other from the exhaust and stumbled then died. Thought I overheated it, radiator was empty. At the time, no obvious leaks so I tried again. Tried cranking about 5 times and engine just wouldn't catch.

Well suddenly the muffler started draining anti-freeze. Yes, the muffler and not a leak above the muffler. I suspect Initial smoke was burnt coolant until it flooded the engine.

Upon further inspection coolant is in the cylinders & intake but not the oil. Coolant is leaking out of the throttle valve assembly. Small leak at the back of the engine and large amount out of the out of the muffler. Coolant seems to be entering the intake system.

Is there a way for something to fail that would allow coolant directly into the intake manifold.

Recent Mx was a radiator and hose change. About a 100 miles since repair, nothing is leaking or broken at the front of the engine so I don't think its related. Coolant checked at least 3 times since repair and no leaks and no loss of coolant until today.

Any ideas? Is the Motor Toast!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

That's a clusterf*ck right there.

Head gasket is my guess... if your head gasket fails, then the coolant and oil can mix.

I've seen some people's PCV valves fail in certain vehicles and leave oil in the intake manifold. Maybe this time, since there was coolant there, it got in?

the coolant lines in the throttle body I don't think would do it...

Good luck... I'm dumbfounded.

 

[Dr342]

That's a clusterf*ck right there.

Head gasket is my guess... if your head gasket fails, then the coolant and oil can mix.

I've seen some people's PCV valves fail in certain vehicles and leave oil in the intake manifold. Maybe this time, since there was coolant there, it got in?

the coolant lines in the throttle body I don't think would do it...

Good luck... I'm dumbfounded.

yes, no coolant in the oil just all 6 cylinders and intake manifold. Literally over a quart came out of the muffler, and maybe half a cup out of the throttle valve when I pulled the duct off.

I thought head gasket as well, but with no oil/coolant cross contamination, it must start in the intake manifold area somehow.

There is a small coolant leak at some of the smaller hoses on the back of the engine, Ill dig into it today and see what I can find.

Car is on its last leg anyway, A/C is also out, so if engine is toast it will quickly eclipse the value of the vehicle. Time to look for another early Runner!

 

[GonOvr]

With the much coolant leaking, check the throttle body. Coolant is being pumped in to the engine not just leaking. You have coolant in the throttle valve (alot). If your headgaskets or even intake gaskets blow there is no way for coolant to fight gravity, snake through the plenum and fill the throttle body. My guess is something is either cracked, damaged, missing, burned, etc. in the throttle body. Check the coolant lines that go into the throttle body and the throttle body it's self for the culprit.

 

[Dr342]

Update: Coolant is in the oil. The oil wasn't milky, just coolant and oil on top. Oil looked fine and normal on the dip stick. Drained oil and coolant drained first. Very deceiving. Compression test confirmed both head gaskets blown.

What's the value of a 4Runner for parts? May help in the decision to fix or replace the truck.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Update: Coolant is in the oil. The oil wasn't milky, just coolant and oil on top. Oil looked fine and normal on the dip stick. Drained oil and coolant drained first. Very deceiving. Compression test confirmed both head gaskets blown.

What's the value of a 4Runner for parts? May help in the decision to fix or replace the truck.

Bum deal man. Honestly, I don't believe there is much value to a 2nd gen for parts. I feel for you dude, I have pulled over a few times on the highway behind a 2nd Gen with blown HG's.

However, a 3.4 swap would be fun =)

If I were you, I would throw a 3.4 in it and go for another couple hundred thousand miles. :driving: