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1993 overheated toyota corolla.

Hi i was on my home friday night (in a rush) and was driving around

70mph. the car has over 165,000 miles. I noticed when driving some kind of liquid sprayed my windshield. (it was brown). Seconds later I notice the engine coolant tempature gauge was slighly over the normal range. I asked my friend if that was normal, and of course he said No. Seconds later, the gauge went straight up and I was just about to get off the express way and the car turned off. The hood was smoking and I opened and let it cool down for while. I then drove home very slowly which was about five minutes away. I haven't turned the car on since then. Today, three days later. I need to know what I can look for to see if its okay to drive the car again. Or which of course i am sure i will have to take it to be looked at. What do I need to look for and what questions do I need to ask the mechanic, so my eyes won't be gouged out due to overcharging me. thanks for any help
Reply to
Rugratmike
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"Rugratmike" wrote: 1993 Toyota Corolla 165k Miles

Driving 70mph, brown liquid began spraying windshield. Engine coolant temperature gauge then showed overtemp. Engine quit before car could be stopped. Smoke was coming from under hood. Engine was restarted and driven slowly for 5 minutes.

What I can look for to see if its okay to drive the car again. __________________________________________________

The original event was probably a burst upper or lower radiator hose spraying out rusty brown water. After the coolant loss, temperature rose as expected. The water probably shorted out the ignition wires, killing the engine.

This was the best outcome, because it prevented the car from continuing to run any further without coolant, but then the car was then restarted and driven another five minutes, so more serious damage such as a cracked head may have occurred.

Replace the burst hose, refill with coolant, and drive it. (Replace the thermostat and the other hose if needed.) For the next few days, watch for overheating, which will indicate a more serious problem.

Good luck.

Rodan.

Reply to
Rodan

Maybe gouging your eyes out is too serious, but a hefty dope slap is sure in order. When you noticed that temperature gauge climbing you needed to be reaching for that key to shut the engine down. It's about the same degree of urgency as a tire blowout. Don't start the vehicle again until you locate the source of the leak, which is probably a burst hose. Just topping the system off will not be enough to make sure all the air is out of the passages. If you are unfamiliar with how to fill this thing properly with the engine off, find somebody who is or have it towed to a shop. You are running a high risk of blowing a head gasket or cracking a block if you have not already done so. If this ride or money means anything to you, take heed.

Reply to
Al Bundy

Ok thanks guys!!

Reply to
Rugratmike

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