Engine Rebuild or Maybe HG?

[selfish]

Hi all, I am having some problems and I need an expert internet diagnosis.

97 4runner - 4cyl

It was overheating pretty badly, and leaked a little bit of oil. I cleaned the entire engine so I could see the source of the leak and I also flushed the coolant. After the cleaning it was running really rough and had almost no acceleration. Then I went on a three week trip for work.

When I got back it was running perfectly. I have driven it for about two more months and this week it overheated again. I pulled over before it red-lined and let it sit overnight planning to drive it home again the next day. I checked the fluids and topped off the radiator. On the drive home (5 miles) it heated up and I pulled over and sat for about 30 minutes. I started it to check the temp and it was in the normal operating range. I figured the thermostat just kicked in so I opened the windows, cranked up the heater, and drove it home. It was running rough but the temp stayed normal. I let it sit overnight again and tried to start it today after I put another 3/4 gal of water in the radiator.

The engine won't start, it does a quick jerk and makes a depressing sound.

What's next?

Thanks

David

 

[kball]

Oil was leaking out? Did you find out from where? Loosing coolant, quick jerk when you try to start it.... hydro locked cylinder?? Maybe you should pull your plugs and see if it will turn over then. Be ready for coolant spraying out at high speed.

 

[EmptyZ]

Go buy a compression tester and check the compression. Also when you cleaned the engine how did you do it? Did you leave the motor running or turn it off? When you clean an engine make sure you leave it running and avoid getting water near the air intake or the electronics (battery, fuses, etc.). Also check the batt and make sure you have enough power to turn it over, I always go for the simple explanations before anything else.

 

[selfish]

I think I found the problem...

A car smart friend came over and we pulled the plugs and found two completely rusted out. We pulled the head and found the HG blown out in four spots.

 

[EmptyZ]

That sir is impressive, sorry bout the bad news bud!

 

[EmptyZ]

Just curious, does your coolant in your entire system look like that?

 

[selfish]

When I was vacuuming the water out of the cylinder some was coming out of the channels in the block and it looked exactly like that. So, I am assuming that all of it is that bad. The radiator was completely flushed in January, and the rust stained the gutter for half a block.

I figure lots of maintenance has been put off far too long, so my To Do list looks like this right now:

1. Head check at a machine shop
2. New timing kit
3. New fuel filter
4. New A/C compressor (been squeaking for a year)
5. Put everything back together
6. Coat the entire car in Sea Foam
7. Oil Change
8. Coolant flush
9. Possibly new radiator if it continues to look bad
10. New seat covers :banana:


Anything else I should do while all the naughty bits are exposed?

 

[02SE]

I'd add a new water pump, thermostat, and hoses to the list.