RTH - engine temp spiked to 216 - overflow boiling

[ifsmithy]

Halfway up the hill in Mammoth Lakes and engine temp spiked to 216, pulled over put it in park and then put both heaters on full max temp to try and get the temp down, it dropped to 213 but then the AC started blowing cold so I shut down immediately, overflow was boiling.
Waiting for an hour to let it cool down then we’ll add 4 gallons of distilled water while I try and locate where the leak is.
Engine was rebuilt about 30,000 miles ago pesky heater hose is new ish any other suggestions here? Appreciate the help.
I must be low on coolant, I think….

 

[Brindleboxer]

Unless you see leaking I would not jump to that as the root cause. Let it cool and add the water like you thought. After that I would start checking the system to see where the issue lies.

Possible culprits:
Head gasket:
Once cool, open the overflow and check for contamination. While waiting check oil on dipstick and check for contamination. If both check and you don't have white smoke from tailpipe you should be good (not guaranteed but at least if it's a HG it isn't catastrophic).

Water Pump:
Is the water pump working, you can check flow by either looking in the radiator or checking the main hoses. Also, the two main hoses should not be drastically different in the heat level to the touch.

Fan Clutch:
(Roadside check) If bad I believe the fan will continue to spin when the truck is shut off (more knowledgeable minds may chime in if I'm wrong).

Thermostat:
Could have went bad in the closed position.

Belts:
Check that all belts are still on the truck. If there, are they worn or slipping?

How are you checking the actual engine temp, scangauge or the like? If so check some other parameters. If the truck was running lean for some reason it could cause heating.

Keep us updated and stay safe.

 

[ifsmithy]

scanguage - will update in a bit - adding water to check for leaks in a bit and will check the dipstick - I hope it’s not a head gasket - had the engine rebuilt recently - t-stat and water pump are all relatively new..I have the blue mod fan clutch as well…..
Also chatting with a local recovery guy who can help swap out the coolant hopefully

 

[Brindleboxer]

scanguage - will update in a bit - adding water to check for leaks in a bit and will check the dipstick - I hope it’s not a head gasket - had the engine rebuilt recently - t-stat and water pump are all relatively new..I have the blue mod fan clutch as well…..
Also chatting with a local recovery guy who can help swap out the coolant hopefully

Sorry wasn't trying to scare you about the HG but throwing out what I would be looking for if in your situation on the side of the road. Also, did the truck ever throw any code?

 

[ifsmithy]

No no - all good!!

Thanks for the help - appreciate it!

no check engine light - I have forscan but laptop back at condo so can’t read codes right now

Dipstick oil looks okay - overflow looks like Toyota red but it’s low….Adding water in 15 mins….hopefully it’s the rear heater hoses that finally crapped out….

 

[ifsmithy]

Okay - added water - only took 1/3 gallon - started engine with radiator cap off - nothing violent - no milkshake.

A few other symptoms I had a few days ago. Rough engine on idle, and I couldn’t start the car the other day I had to jump it. I put this down to needing a new battery. My belts have been making a bit of noise recently, but I just put this down to being in a cold climate. They do deflect about half an inch but I don’t see any obvious leak.

Belts slipping? Alternator not charging - water pump not working properly? All related perhaps…..

Local rescue guy offering to pressure test the system….

Temp down to 128 - so all downhill driving - might make a run for my condo - 3 miles away

 

[ifsmithy]

Okay - less than 35lb of tension on my belts - I knew that tool would come in handy… could this be it - belts slipping - not charging alternator properly and water pump not circulating coolant?

 

[Brindleboxer]

Possible, barring any more symptoms. If your condo is 3 miles, IIWM, I would limp it there so you can work on it with the latitude of time. I would also still scan for codes just in case.

Hope the issue was as simple as needing belts.

Lastly, sounds like the local rescue guy is a champ if they are willing to pressure test for you. Around here you get a basic hook and deliver.

 

[ifsmithy]

Possible, barring any more symptoms. If your condo is 3 miles, IIWM, I would limp it there so you can work on it with the latitude of time. I would also still scan for codes just in case.

Hope the issue was as simple as needing belts.

Lastly, sounds like to local rescue guy is a champ if they are willing to pressure test for you. Around here you get a basic hook and deliver.

 

[ifsmithy]

Solved - I think - tightened the belts up - they were very loose…..

10 mins idle and holding at 181 - cycling up a few and down a few degrees

I love it when these fixes are simple and don’t involve 1000’s - hopefully I’m not temping fate there

Swinging by the off road fella tomorrow in bishop I think - wanna get a second pair of eyes on this - was still running a tad rough when I first fired up..

Thanks the help @Brindleboxer
Much appreciated!

 

[Brindleboxer]

Glad you got it back on the road and good luck with the follow up. You earned this

 

[jsloden]

Glad you got it going. For future reference, just because you don't have the milkshake doesn't mean your headgasket isn't blown. Myself and many others were just getting overheating and pressurizing of the the reservoir.

 

[ifsmithy]

Glad you got it going. For future reference, just because you don't have the milkshake doesn't mean your headgasket isn't blown. Myself and many others were just getting overheating and pressurizing of the the reservoir.

Good to know - anything I should ask this recovery guy (owns a garage as well) to check that might help rule that out @jsloden ?

Especiallly as heading deep into the desert tomorrow….or was planning too anyway

I’m hoping that given the engine was rebuilt by a cruiser nut job (meant in a nice way) I should be safe on that side of things? I rebuilt the engine due to a head gasket failure…..

 

[Brindleboxer]

Understand @jsloden comment, my input for the HG was to quickly rule out a catastrophic failure and allow you to get to the next possible item.

The pressure test should identify most HG failure. You could also pull the plugs an check them for some added piece of mind.

As for running into the "deep" desert tomorrow, that would not be my plan. I have two questions, are you going with others that could recover your vehicle if there are issues? If not, can you afford a remote tow/extraction if something goes wrong?

I would want to run it in civilization for a few days to see if any other symptoms arise.

 

[petegangies]

you can also do a co2 sniff test through the radiator, which are relatively inexpensive. Your recovery guy may even have one.

 

[alia176]

Solved - I think - tightened the belts up - they were very loose…..

10 mins idle and holding at 181 - cycling up a few and down a few degrees

This fix makes zero sense when it comes an overheating engine. Loose alt belts shouldn't contribute to an engine overheating, perhaps some squealing under load, and possibly some low voltage issues, but not overheating.

I don't know if I consider 216deg an "overheating" condition. I used to routinely pull 220deg going home in the summer in my turbo'ed 80. I didn't like it but it came right down after the climb was over. I did end up getting a RD radiator so no more of those crazy temps! This is winter, and you're climbing a steep hill (maybe?) so is 216deg a big deal? I'm going to guess you got four people + ski gear and driving from nearly sea level to high elevations so you've been flogging the piss out of your engine in 3rd or possibly 2nd gear. That's just a WAG on my part!

 

[ifsmithy]

Understand @jsloden comment, my input for the HG was to quickly rule out a catastrophic failure and allow you to get to the next possible item.

The pressure test should identify most HG failure. You could also pull the plugs an check them for some added piece of mind.

As for running into the "deep" desert tomorrow, that would not be my plan. I have two questions, are you going with others that could recover your vehicle if there are issues? If not, can you afford a remote tow/extraction if something goes wrong?

I would want to run it in civilization for a few days to see if any other symptoms arise.

Awesome - will get the pressure test and get the plugs pulled - thanks again!
And agreed - bailing on the desert run!

This fix makes zero sense when it comes an overheating engine. Loose alt belts shouldn't contribute to an engine overheating, perhaps some squealing under load, and possibly some low voltage issues, but not overheating.

the beats had little to no tension - anyway heading to the recovery guy now - doing a pressure test and maybe pulling the spark plugs…. Wish me luck…

 

[ifsmithy]

billowing white smoke that does not disappear when engine gets to temp......
FML
seriously.....
bars leak?
Try and see if that seals things up so I can get it to the OC/LA area to find someone to change the headgasket?

 

[alia176]

billowing white smoke that does not disappear when engine gets to temp......
FML
seriously.....
bars leak?
Try and see if that seals things up so I can get it to the OC/LA area to find someone to change the headgasket?

If you're suspecting a HG leak, then get the Barr's Head Gasket fix bottle and pour it in according to the instructions. Then, just drive her like you stole her. Work on the engine when you feel like it as this temp bandaid can last a long time.

One of the biggest tale to a leaking HG is bubbles coming out of the coolant overflow tank while revving the engine past 2k rpm (after warmed up). See if you're getting these bubbles before you start freaking.

I poured this into all of my vehicles just a PM after seeing how well it has worked for me in the past. I've used it on four HG blown engines so far and it's amazing stuff!

 

[ifsmithy]

No bubbles I can tell - got a combustion leak detector kit arriving tomorrow so will take it from there.
Not sure I wanna go the bars leak way - I’m a few months into a year off work (after 23 years at the same place and 29 in same field) - traveling in the car so I need it reliable…. I thought I had done all the PM to get to that point!
Hey ho….
Got someone lined up to do the work - hookup from the off road world - if it’s confirmed. 250 mile tow to the garage - thank god for AAA premier….
Just checked 35k miles on the nose since the last rebuild….