Idiot Son: dad, I blew the engine in the FJ62

[aktundra]

1# son called from Colorado Springs, to say he was driving along, engine running hot, suddenly "a cloud of smoke and the engine started knocking". Blew the engine he said. He said the block was cracked, it was leaking coolant from "the water pump in the back of the engine". Water was just pouring out of the back of the engine.

Later #2 son said it had been running hot for weeks, and #1 was shutting it off and coasting down hills to let it cool

Obviously pissed that this kid was such an irresponsible idiot rather than fix a problem when it's small. After explaining several times the water pump is not the the back, it became clear the kid was a profound idiot, and it occurred to me to ask: " has anybody besides you decided the engine was blown" ?

Nope, just me.
Decided there might be hope.

Had him drain the oil into a clear plastic jug, sat overnight, and he reported there were no layers, no water in the oil.

Happy day !!

I suspect the Heater hose in/out of the fire wall must have been leaking. Before I mail him the dough for a new radiator. I would like to try and confirm a leak, and I'm not just wasting money because the head/engine really are toast

Does anybody have some good pic's of the coolant lines of the 3FE (?), so I can direct the kid where to check the coolant system ? ( otherwise he's likely to check electrical lines for a coolant leak!!)
Can I just take some pics of my 2F, and the coolant lines are still basically the same ?

 

[4Cruisers]

The FJ60 and FJ62 lines are different - FJ62 diagrams:

 

[gregnash]

If you can.. I would see about either Facetime-ing or Skyping with your son(s) and have them walk you around the engine to show you where stuff is coming out. Prolonged overheating like that is NOT GOOD for the engine and also the fact that you stated "it started smoking and knocking real bad".

Maybe jump into one of the clubhouses near where he lives and have see if one of the guys there would be nice enough to take a look at the engine for you.

 

[SteveH]

Sounds like you could have a stuck thermostat, if it started running hot all the time. Radiators tend to plug slowly. Might be best to replace the hose, fill up the coolant and oil, and have Justin at Redline look it over. You don't want a bonehead shop snapping off all the thermostat housing bolts in an attempt to change the thermostat, but the t-stat should be checked as part of the resolution.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

the water pump at the back of the engine...

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

could be a freeze plug blew after getting hot after running low on coolant or the radiator being clogged...glad, it isn't dangling rods...might take a few minutes some saturday and go thru the engine bay with the poor guy...maybe you'll actually have his attention this time.

 

[White Stripe]

Sounds like your son doesn't have any mechanical experience or know-how. I would have it towed to a shop and checked out professionally, lots of cruiser shops around. Perhaps he should drive a vehicle that is easier to maintain, a old cruiser is a lot for someone that's young, that likely has little money, and no mechanical experience. Maybe a corolla or something. Then if he blows it up nobody cares cuz its a cheap car anyway.

 

[hj 60]

So there is no water in the diff

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

I think it's the perfect beginner car...this is a lesson that will not soon be forgotten, for either party. don't forget to show him how to calibrate the muffler bearings

 

[stridertexas]

Sounds like your son doesn't have any mechanical experience or know-how. I would have it towed to a shop and checked out professionally, lots of cruiser shops around. Perhaps he should drive a vehicle that is easier to maintain, a old cruiser is a lot for someone that's young, that likely has little money, and no mechanical experience. Maybe a corolla or something. Then if he blows it up nobody cares cuz its a cheap car anyway.

In high school, I had a friend (girl) who had a Honda Civic. I was driving with her one day in the Texas Hill Country going up a steep long hill, when I saw her engine light come on. I asked her what was wrong. She said, "oh it's been doing that" it'll go away. Puzzled, I asked her to just pull over at the next gas station and let's take a look under the hood.

She was over 2 quarts low on oil (didn't even read on the dipstick) and her radiator was practically empty (I poured almost a whole container of antifreeze in it. I topped off both for her, and the light went out and never came back on.

She thought since the light didn't stay on full time everything was ok. She was shocked when I kept just adding fluids. She thanked me that her dad would have killed her if something happened. She just didn't know. I'm sure this will be a life lesson for your son.

Those 4 banger Honda motors are truly bullet proof.

 

[NMfjCruiser]

Looked at a Honda Accord to buy for a friend that needed basic transportation. I asked about service records. The nice gal said it never needed service, never even needed to add oil. Pulled the dipstick and it was like tar. She couldn't understand why I didn't want to buy the car.

I hope you have good luck and it can be saved with out a rebuild.

 

[Spike Strip]

Don't know if you've got this fixed yet, or not, but might be easier to tell son to go to Autozone or equivalent for free tool rental and get a Pressure Tester (with adapter) and pressurize the system cold to see where leak is spitting.

 

[aktundra]

I think the cloud of "smoke" was steam when the rad let loose. I'd have to look at their pressure testing kit, would be great if it's possible to connect the upper & lower hoses, and by-pass the radiator. Cuse thats exactly what we need.

 

[collk22]

If your son is in Colorado Springs, maybe have him call Redline Cruisers. They took good care of me when I had my truck there a couple of years ago.

 

[SteveH]

Any progress on this?

 

[aktundra]

frustrating when the local dealership has to be drug along to get this fixed. More interested in getting it out of the shop, than fixing.
We towed it to the local dealership, they popped the hood, charged $120 and said the radiator had blown and needed a new radiator.
Dah, why do you think we paid $70 bucks to have it towed to your place ? I need a professional mechanic to tell me why it blew, and if the engine is toast or is it worth fixing the cooling system.

this is where things stood at the time I started this thread and posted Post #1.

After a series of texts & pics, I figured out (from Alaska, without actually seeing the rig) that a freeze plug had blown out in the rear.
Had it towed back to the dealership, chewed them out. questioned their professionalism, and due diligence. When there could be a missing freeze plug, and untold overheating damage, and they recommended replacing the radiator

They confirmed that a rear freeze plug was gone. I made it clear that I needed them to assess whether this truck was worth fixing. was to much damage done during the overheating?

Dealership: not worth putting money into it and fixing. Call a tow truck. we cannot put a freeze plug back in, and guarantee it will stay in. Do you realize how much pressure that system is under? It could pop out again at any time"

Me: look a##-holes, here in AK we put freeze plug block heaters in ALL THE TIME, the part is designed for this purpose. No reason not to be able to stand behind your work. For the love of God, please confirm there is no visible water in the oil, then do a compression test, and see if this project is a non-starter.

compression test came back 130-115-115-120-115-130. Compression test on a cold engine is not absolute confirmation, the numbers are not earth shattering, but do not seem to be indicative of a single crack, or head gasket faliure. (been waiting two days for them to find a quote to install a freeze plug block heater)

Still not sure its worth fixing. But it makes me angry, dealerships will not support their product, because its old

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Dealers and garages all stink is the consensus I have gather in the years I've had cars. Sorry it's such a bitch and your so far away you can't do more than FaceTime and photos.
Watching the progress and wishing good luck.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

oh my actual gawd...what a bunch a hosers! those guys are no more knowledgeable than son#1...I called it BTW...

could be a freeze plug blew after getting hot after running low on coolant or the radiator being clogged...glad, it isn't dangling rods...might take a few minutes some saturday and go thru the engine bay with the poor guy...maybe you'll actually have his attention this time.

bet its fine if he pulled it over fast enough...Has your kid given you his ear yet, or are they still burning from getting boxed?

 

[Hack]

..But it makes me angry, dealerships will not support their product, because its old

Hell, I was once told by a Harley Davidson Service Manager: 'We don't work on bikes that are more than 10 years old'.

My response: 'You mean you don't have anyone here, who has a clue, how to fix an older bike'.

Good luck, sorry it happened, and I hope it does work out for you.

 

[60 toy ota]

my take is that even if you get the dealership to do what you say, they're going to do it with a minimalist approach. I say a decent shop that's actually personable and ethical is going to give you more for your buck than a "qualified" dealership that only wants to change the oil and headlights on their prius's