Help Needed to Save the Beast- Engine Overheated & Destroyed?!?

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georgeecfc

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Hi All - I have a 1997 3.4L V8 Limited 4wd 4Runner with approx 144k on the mileometer (Im British OK!).

It was driving fine since I bought it two years ago with no problems other than the Engine seemed to run a little hot but the temp gauge never went above the middle and I live in SoCal so I thought this was probably normal. I had to top up the Coolant a few times as it seems to eat through this every few months.

This week my wife drove to the shops as normal but when she tried to leave the Engine wouldnt turn over at all and there was a loud one time Click/Popping Sound. This happened two or Three times and then she called me - I said to try it again so I could hear but this time it turned over and started fine so I hung up.

She then called back a few minutes later and said that the car had been shaking and White Smoke Started bellowing out of the exhaust pipe. I told her to wait there and I drove over. When I arrived I checked the oil etc and found the Coolant reservoir to be empty so I topped it up with water (all I had). I started it up it would still turn over but was a bit shaky and after idling for a few minutes the white smoke started coming from the exhaust pipe along with dripping a lot of what smelt like water. There also appeared to be water dripping from under the bonnet (Hood) somewhere near the passenger foot-well.

I got it towed to a local garage that I trust (But who is not a Toyota expert) and he said that he thinks that the Engine overheated with water getting into the pistons and it is unsalvageable so Im going to need a new engine!! Does this make sense? Is there any other possible causes that I can suggest as I dont think I can afford a new Engine...

I love this Truck as its my first ever car and we have been all over together in the last two years since I moved to the US: Yosemite, Mt Whitney, San Fran, LA, Anza Borrego, Vegas, SLC, Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Grand Canyon, Mexico - I will Honestly cry if we have to Scrap the Beast...

Thanks in advance for your help
 

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Not "un-salvageable". You have a blown head gasket, which is repairable. He was probably thinking you hydro locked your engine but it's hard to do that when the engine is running since it burns off all the coolant going in.

Take it to a different shop and have them give you a second opinion. A head gasket job from a shop is not cheap though and the vehicle will be down for a little while since they will have to remove the top end of the engine and have it resurfaced. But definitely repairable.
 
Topping off the coolant is a sign of a blow headgasket or a leaking water pump.

White smoke out of the exhaust is a sign of burning coolant/water.

Sounds like you need a new set of head gaskets.

Not an "easy fix" but not terminable.
 
It could be a head gasket like everyone is saying, which is expensive, but best case scenario.

If it did overheat a lot, it could be a cracked block which has similar symptoms to a head gasket failure - which would mean you need an engine. You said the temperature needle never goes past half way, so I kind of doubt it?
 
Sounds like head gaskets to me too. If she really over heated it the engine bearings could be toast too. Ask me how I know. Good Luck
 
Not normally. Does it not turn over anymore? Do you get just a click or does the engine actually spin? If just clicking, could be bad battery and/or battery connections or perhaps the starter. I'd do as Brian suggests, the Toyota specialist. :cowboy:
 
Sounds like a blown bead gasket but more damage is possible from over heating. I didnt like the fact that the engine wont turn over. Try and spin the motor manually by using a braker bar or large ratchet and propr sized socket and using the crank pulley bolt to rotate the motor. If you cant get it to turn or it turns and stops i ternal damage was done and a motor replacement is needed. If the motor turns fine then its more likely the battery is dead or the starter went out. Take your 4runner to a reputable repair shop and have them check it out. Keep in mind it blew a head gasket for over heating and something caused that over heating. Hop you did not by it with blown head but people are f'd up. Good luck and i hope it works iut for you.
 
The Car now starts intermittently. The mechanic says he took out the spark plugs and one of them was dripping water and there was water in one of the pistons - Does this mean the engine is finished?

He is recommending that I look for a salvage engine but says that for $250 he can take this one apart to try to see if it is repairable -

I bought the truck for $4.5k with 119k and have driven up to 144k in two years - other than this recent (major) issue its in good condition... Not sure what to do now...
 
Eh. I'd start looking for a new engine. Reason being is that if after you shut it off water flooded a cylinder and then you tried to start it you could have possibly bent a rod from hydrolocking it. Headgaskets are definitely blown no doubt about it. I'd just be worried about a bent rod from a hydrolocked cylinder.
 
Does it make any noise while the engine is running?
I doubt about a hydro lock with a failed gasket.

Getting a good used engine is a good idea but who know how good it is. The only problen with the 4runner engine is the head gasket. If you get the parts form a toyota and get it fixed right, I guess you should be good for another 320K Km's
 
Probably worth the $250 to have him tear it down and give you a full diagnosis. Even if you bent a rod, a rebuild might be cheaper than a replacement motor (and if you have him rebuild it, he'll probably refund you your $250). The only way that engine is DONE is if you cracked the block. Everything else is fixable, it's just a question of what makes economic sense. Your mechanic will recommend a new engine because it's less work for him, but have him tell you exactly what's wrong with your current motor and lay out all your options before you choose. Don't be afraid to have the truck towed elsewhere if you aren't comfortable with the guy who's looking at it now.

I didn't see anybody mention it yet, but you definitely do not have a 3.4l V8 in there, for the record. :D
 
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KidVermicious said:
Probably worth the $250 to have him tear it down and give you a full diagnosis. Even if you bent a rod, a rebuild might be cheaper than a replacement motor (and if you have him rebuild it, he'll probably refund you your $250). The only way that engine is DONE is if you cracked the block. Everything else is fixable, it's just a question of what makes economic sense. Your mechanic will recommend a new engine because it's less work for him, but have him tell you exactly what's wrong with your current motor and lay out all your options before you choose. Don't be afraid to have the truck towed elsewhere if you aren't comfortable with the guy who's looking at it now.

I didn't see anybody mention it yet, but you definitely do not have a 3.4l V8 in there, for the record. :D
Click to expand...

Yeah Sorry I meant 3.4L V6 (5VZFE)- good spot...

I ended up getting it towed to the place that that Brian recommended earlier in the thread. They are going to have a look in the morning...
 
Thanks all for your help - got it fixed at the Truck Shop SD. Cost $2800 in the end to fix cracked head that occurred because of faulty radiator cap...
 
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