Engine Advice

NYSpeed Automotive
1

I got a call from a friend of mine earlier this week asking for a ride because “he blew the head gasket in his car”. So here’s the story:

1996 Toyota Corolla, 180k.

He’s driving along and the charge light comes on. He doesn’t bother to stop and look at anything, just thinks he should try to get home ASAP (mistake #1).

Hops on the 90 (mistake #2) and after several miles he looks in his rear view and there’s smoke everywhere. The car is very hot, he says “almost” in the red (I’ll assume it was in the red). He calls AAA and they tell him they can’t get him on the thuway and it will be $150 for a tow. So he lets it cool down and drives to the next exit (mistake #3). AAA then tows the car back to his house.

The next day he drives the car to a shop just around the corner (mistake #4, yes I know he’s an automotive idiot). They tell him the following:

  1. The head gasket is shot.
  2. The head is warped.
  3. The water pump “exploded”
  4. He needs a new engine for about $2000 installed.

So he calls up mommy and daddy and they loan him a car since there is no way he can pay 2k.

I go over and start looking at the patient. About 5 minutes later it’s pretty clear to me the sequence of events that took place.

  1. The main belt snapped, which meant no more water ciculation, and no more alternator (hence the charge light).
  2. Once it got good and hot the radiator blew. When I squeeze the main coolant line I get bubbles from about 1/2 the length of top seam of the radiator. That would explain the smoke screen on the 90 since the hot manifold was directly behind the broken seam. Coolant is EVERYWHERE under the hood.

Here comes the stuff that has me seriously doubting the diagnosis from the shop.

  1. I pull the dipstick, and it’s good. Decently clean oil, no foam, no milky color.
  2. I can start the car and it idles smoothly, and does misfire or seem rough when I rev it. There’s a little blue smoke, but nothing I wouldn’t expect from a 180k car.

There is however some water dripping from the exhaust. Not a lot, but in the few minutes I had it running testing stuff I’d say it formed about a 4" in diameter puddle.

So what do you guys think? My plan right now is to head back over there this weekend with some tools. Remove each plug and get a look at them, and assuming they look ok do a compression test. If that checks out I’m going to suggest he put on a new belt, swap out the radiator, and drive it.

Comments/Questions/Concerns? Something I missed?

2

the water is just condesation, replace the pump and belt and see what you get, you can do a compression check to test for the headgasket… that will tell you what you need to know

3

i’d replace the WP while your at it… its a cheap fix… and worth it in the end.

4

Compression check.
Water pump, Belt, radiator.

5

What’s the reasoning behind the water pump? Didn’t the motor overheat from the belt snapping? Why do you think the waterpump needs replacing? Just want to know the reasoning so I’ll know what to look for in the future.

6

replace it for peace of mind. the WP may have issues that lead to the belt self destructing…

also with that many miles on it, who knows how old it is

7

Might as well replace the water pump now, since you have everything apart already.

8

180k I wouldnt replace shit…throw a new belt on…and see what happens.

9

I actually have a spare '96 -'97 Geo with good driveline. Auto tranny, let me know.

The roof had a deer sit on it.

10

will it pass inspection?

11

The geo I have?, fuck no.

12

snap.

I love geos.

13

Thanks for the advice guys, and thanks for the heads up on the spare driveline. I don’t mind helping him out with a radiator and waterpump but I’m not swapping a motor for him :slight_smile:

14

Like the guys who were mentioning replacing the water pump, I agree that you might want to check to make sure there wasn’t a reason for the belt snapping other than age/neglect. I.e. is something that the belt is supposed to be turning siezed?