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Engine Overheated. Need help and advice

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by TheBlackPearl, Nov 1, 2010.

  1. Nov 1, 2010 at 10:53 AM
    #1
    TheBlackPearl

    TheBlackPearl [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hi everyone. I wanted to ask those who are mechanically inclined for advice.

    This morning when I was driving to work in my 2006 Double Cab Tacoma w/ 91000 miles, everything seemed to be fine. All of sudden, I see a small patch of white smoke come out from the left of the engine, near the driver side windshield. It looked more like steam. The temperature gauge was fine. The needle was in the middle of H and C. Then the Check Engine light lit up. So I looked at the temperature gauge again and it was still fine. I was in traffic driving about 20mph. I drove for another 5 minutes and exited.

    I stopped at a stop light and then smoke/steam started coming out of the engine again. This time there was more steam and the temp gauge went all the way to H! When the light turned green, i drove another 5 minutes and the gauge went back down to the middle. The steam was gone. I'm guessing the wind during driving cooled the engine back down. I did not notice any white smoke coming out of the tail pipe. The truck did not seem to be losing any noticeable power.

    When I parked, I popped open the hood and more steam came out. I looked at the source of the steam and it appeared to be coming from back of the valve cover (more towards the windshield). There is coolant on the top back of the valve cover and it's also where the steam is coming from. The radiator appeared to be fine.

    When I tried to start the car again to check it out, it turned on, then immediately died after 2-3 seconds. It made like a weird rattle noise when it was turning over. I checked the oil and there is oil present. It did not look muddy.

    I called the shop and they say that it's the head gasket. Before I get ripped off, what are the possible problems that this could be? I'm really hoping that it's not the head gasket but I'm thinking it's the source. I guess I'm just hoping it's a hose or something.

    Also, if it's the head gasket, the shop informed me that I would need to replace my valves, water pump, and fan clutch.

    However, another shop said that all i need to do is replace my head gasket since the engine is still new.

    Who should I trust? Money is tight right now and I don't want to replace anything that is still in good condition and doesn't need to be replaced.

    For the head gasket and valve job, I was quoted $850 for parts and labor. They both said that it's a 16 hour job.

    Please advise.
     
  2. Nov 1, 2010 at 11:17 AM
    #2
    trd09

    trd09 Well-Known Member

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    perform a compression test yourself
     
  3. Nov 1, 2010 at 11:22 AM
    #3
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

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    back to bone stock.
    sounds like a head gasket. sorry.

    i would change everything they suggest. it's one of those "while your in there" situations. sucks..but it is cheaper in the long run.
     
  4. Nov 1, 2010 at 11:26 AM
    #4
    DriverSound

    DriverSound Señor Member

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    Trade it in.
     
  5. Nov 1, 2010 at 11:27 AM
    #5
    BlueT

    BlueT Well-Known Member

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    Picture first.... I would like to see what do you mean by coolant on engine cover.
     
  6. Nov 1, 2010 at 11:31 AM
    #6
    WoodsCustom

    WoodsCustom Well-Known Member

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    You will be VERY lucky if its just a Head Gasket.

    If they start heating up, you gotta pull over and shut er down. In an emergency, and if you HAVE to limp it another mile, you can turn on your heater full blast and pray.

    Heat Kills Engines.

    WC
     
  7. Nov 1, 2010 at 11:39 AM
    #7
    81shark

    81shark Well-Known Member

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    don't drive when you are hot and don't know the cause.

    i don't see why you need to replace the water pump and fan clutch if they were working properly. assuming it's a blown head gasket, hopefully, you didn't warp anything.
     
  8. Nov 1, 2010 at 11:44 AM
    #8
    BlueT

    BlueT Well-Known Member

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    I moded 1999 Taco so much it had turned to Land Cruiser
    Thats the thing, I can not think any way coolant would end up on the top of engine when head gasket fails. So picture would help... there are coolant hoses that go to the throttle so if some rodent chews o n them they would spray leak on the top of engine.
    So good quality pictures would help especially if you can make them with engine plastic cover off.
     
  9. Nov 1, 2010 at 11:55 AM
    #9
    jivewalker

    jivewalker Well-Known Member

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    Hmm, no smoke in exhaust. Do you smell anifreeze in the exhaust? need pics. Also, water pump could be leaking at weep hole and spraying up, etc. Not convinced not a hose or something. Consider towing it to a radiator shop for a pressure test on the cooling side, that might shed some light. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.
     
  10. Nov 1, 2010 at 12:49 PM
    #10
    KCin HBCA

    KCin HBCA 2020 TRD Sport 4x4

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    Where in the OC are you?
     
  11. Nov 1, 2010 at 2:44 PM
    #11
    TheBlackPearl

    TheBlackPearl [OP] Well-Known Member

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    GOOD NEWS! I popped open the valve cover and it was only a busted hose! WHEW! I believe it's called the heater return hose. It looked like something chewed it. So when I used my heater this morning, fluid was shooting out of the hole (no pun intended). haha. The part cost me $7 at Longo Toyota. That's way better than $850.

    Anyways, I want to thank everyone for their help and advice. This is why I love this forum. Everyone is always helpful.
     
  12. Nov 1, 2010 at 2:53 PM
    #12
    81shark

    81shark Well-Known Member

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    awesome
     
  13. Nov 1, 2010 at 4:04 PM
    #13
    BlueT

    BlueT Well-Known Member

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    Good stuff ... :proposetoast: glad you did not got ripped by mechanics.
     
  14. Nov 1, 2010 at 4:39 PM
    #14
    jivewalker

    jivewalker Well-Known Member

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    That's:cheers: great!
     
  15. Nov 1, 2010 at 4:45 PM
    #15
    Hiatt1991

    Hiatt1991 Well-Known Member

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    Make sure your coolant cap didnt fall off. Happened to me in my frontier. lol Dumb. But ya. def something is leaking
     
  16. Nov 1, 2010 at 5:30 PM
    #16
    DriverSound

    DriverSound Señor Member

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    He must be deep in the OC woods to have critters chewing on his heater hose.
     
  17. Nov 1, 2010 at 6:29 PM
    #17
    TacomaBuzz

    TacomaBuzz Well-Known Member

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    Don't ever keep driving if you suspect overheating, you got lucky this time.
     
  18. Nov 1, 2010 at 7:46 PM
    #18
    scottri

    scottri Well-Known Member

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    Cool! It never seems to go that way for me.
     
  19. Nov 2, 2010 at 5:06 AM
    #19
    WoodsCustom

    WoodsCustom Well-Known Member

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    Change the oil and filter while your at it.

    WC
     
  20. Nov 2, 2010 at 5:21 AM
    #20
    sirwamz

    sirwamz Well-Known Member

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    Not much......college student using the GI Bill to survive.
    Good for you man. My mom's car over heated and my brother who was driving kept driving it until it started knocking. I'm glad it was only a hose. It's a good thing you kept checking for a problem before taking it in to a mechanic.
     

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