Friday, April 07, 2006 - 03:04 pm, by: Adam Collins(Adrock)
Been having trouble with my baby for the last couple of weeks, overheating about two weeks ago then just got her back last friday night after the thermostat was replaced, block flushed and radiator cleaned. Was going fine til yesterday when I noticed her getting hot out in the middle of nowhere, luckily I had 5ltrs of water in the car just in case. Had to keep putting water in it all day, then when driving home last night (temp gauge at normal) it started making a strange noise. Naturally I pulled over, just got the car off the road when the engine died. Tried starting it up and wouldn't tick over then noticed the temp gauge rising (went to full).
What I'm guessing has happened is that it's lost water very quickly, making the temp gauge useless and I've been sailing along thinking all is well while the engine proceeds to cook itself. Haven't got a diagnosis from Toyota yet but I've got the feeling it is not going to be good.
Even though I hate to do it, I'm even considering selling it as is (and buying another soarer), as I need a car to get to work. I have a lend of a car for the meantime but I'm not keen on being a "user" plus the Toyota workshop is very busy and I probably wouldn't have the car back for at least 3 weeks.
Friday, April 07, 2006 - 04:03 pm, by: Adam Collins(Adrock)
Yeah I know, theres only a couple of other places here out in the boonies... Wouldn't take it to Holden or Ford, there's a head workshop but they're busy...
Friday, April 07, 2006 - 04:59 pm, by: Adam Collins(Adrock)
Yeah Michael I am seriously thinking about it. I've already had an offer for it, but PM me with an offer. This is what she has: 18" dished WORK rims with near new rubber HKS pod Greddy turbo timer Professionally lowered Upgraded rear brakes Freshly rebuilt dash Sony CD & MD headunits 4 gauge amp wiring kit installed Rego til Jan 2007 She's done just over 121,000kms
Monday, April 10, 2006 - 06:58 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Adam Collins wrote on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 04:03 pm:
Yeah I know, theres only a couple of other places here out in the boonies... Wouldn't take it to Holden or Ford, there's a head workshop but they're busy...
If it's losing coolant after having work done on the cooling system, and it wasn't losing water before the work was done, then whoever did the work should be held responsible for fixing it, at no cost, in a resonable time. That's my view anyway.
Monday, April 10, 2006 - 10:16 am, by: Adam Collins(Adrock)
Yes it would seem that Matthew, however I am not sure if it did or didn't lose coolant the night that it was first towed to the workshop (it was dark and I had no light to check the coolant level).
How much do you think I would be able to get for the car in it's current condition?
Monday, April 10, 2006 - 10:50 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Adam Collins wrote on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 10:16 am:
Yes it would seem that Matthew, however I am not sure if it did or didn't lose coolant the night that it was first towed to the workshop (it was dark and I had no light to check the coolant level).
Even then the shop should have checked it thoroughly before returning it to you, and advised you of any further repairs required.
Monday, April 10, 2006 - 11:17 am, by: Adam Collins(Adrock)
The workshop wasn't sure if it was the head gasket or not and did the repairs so that they could be sure if it was or not without taking the head off (that's what they told me, but I'm sure it could have been compression tested or whatever it is). They did however tell me to keep an eye on the coolant levels, that's why I had a fair bit of water in the car at the time...
Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 04:11 pm, by: Adam Collins(Adrock)
Well I've found out I have blown a headgasket between cylinders. I have now decided instead of paying $2.5k+ for a head reco that I will drop a long engine into it. This means I'm going to have a heap of good spares from the current engine up for grabs, so PM me if you want anything from it and we can work out a price.
mine did the exact same thing today...followed by whitish type smoke bellowing out from neaer the cam covers..i wouldn have even noticed at all if i didnt hear 'ticking' type of noise..although very loud ticking, pulled over...gauge flew up..pop hood..THEN smoke.. = FCUK!
Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 12:38 pm, by: Adam Collins(Adrock)
Yeah Ryan I thought about that, got a quote and because Toyota around here havent worked on one before they reckon it would be $700 to $800 to take the head off and put another on, plus factor in about $700 for gasket kit etc, then the purchase of the head (probably $120-$400), then getting the head cleaned up (???) so you could be up for $2000. I know it may be possible to do it cheaper for you guys that live in the city but that's all thats available to me.
I decided to get a fresh engine dropped in, done 60,000kms for $1200 complete with overnight freight. I just picked up the car yesterday, ended up costing me about $2500 all up but now I have a heap of good parts off the old engine so I'm pretty happy.