Engine failure and repair

[LX Avalanche]

So I was driving home tonight and the truck started idling pretty rough, which I didn't think much of at first since the EGR code keeps popping up. Well it kept getting worse with each stop light. Finally I was about half a mile from home and I heard a loud bang and smoke started coming from under the hood. I was almost home and there was nowhere to pull over on the busy road so I just limped home. It still drove fine but as soon as I slowed to pull into my driveway it died and won't start. I looked under the hood once the smoking stopped and I figured it was safe and found a coolant hose from the top of the radiator blew of the radiator and spewed all the coolant underneath the hood. I ran diagnostic and there were multiple cylinder misfire codes, a coolant temp code, and of course the EGR code.

I'm afraid to try and start it even if I fill the coolant back up because I don't know what damage was done.

Does this sound like a job for Camelback Toyota or someone else?

 

[BrotherRob]

Did it overheat? How does the oil look? Damage is likely done prolly won't make it worse by starting it as long as it doesn't heat up. I wouldn't drive it without a diagnoses.

 

[fengler]

I overheated my LC once, when the heater tees broke, it shut down like you said. I limped it home after putting coolant back in the system (i was in the desert), I had the oil changed and replaced the heater tees, it still runs like a champ.

 

[LX Avalanche]

Hey guys sorry for the slow response I worked all day. I couldn't really tell what the oil looked like because it was dark but it kinda of looked like there was coolant in there :-/

I'm going to drain the oil, fill it back up, and refill the coolant and see what happens. Might end up sending it to Camelback Toyota on Monday to have a damage assessment done. Unless anyone else has a suggestion.

 

[LX Avalanche]

PS thanks for your help.

 

[fengler]

Napa has a cool little kit that ive used - its a blue fluid with a sintered bronze filter and a radiator adaptor, you attach it to your radiator and start your vehicle, if the fluid turns green or yellow (i dont remember), it means there is a presence of exhaust gases in your cooling system which means you have a blown head gasket. Might be worth checking out.

 

[LX Avalanche]

OK thank you. They probably aren't open Sundays though huh?

 

[medtro]

Autozone has the block tester in their tools loaning program.

 

[fengler]

Nice, yep same concept

 

[BrotherRob]

Block tester is a good indicator. It can confirm a blown hg. But a negative test doesn't always rule it out. The test reads exhaust gases in the coolant which doesn't always happen with a hg failure.

From your description, my best guess is that you overheated it and warped the head. There's no way to confirm over the web. If that is the case, the block test will likely confirm it.

 

[fengler]

You could try a leak down test as well (spark plug port).

 

[BrotherRob]

I wouldn't bother changing the oil until you've tested it. If the head has to come off , it'll have to be changed again.

 

[LX Avalanche]

OK so the oil looks fine, I filled the radiator back up and started it up and performed the test. This is what I got.

Looks kinda yellow to me :-/

 

[fengler]

what does the fluid box say?

 

[LX Avalanche]

If it turns yellow there's exhaust gasses getting into the coolant.

 

[fengler]

Is there white smoke coming out of the tailpipe?

 

[BrotherRob]

Is there white smoke coming out of the tailpipe?

And does it smell like antifreeze or burning antifreeze?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Blackstone labs

 

[medtro]

I am not endorsing this. YMMV.

 

[LX Avalanche]

Took her to Camelback and its in good hands with murph. He said it definitely needs a head gasket.