7m ge overheated/wont start

[caballo]

hey guys
one day after work and wanted to see how fast my na supra would go. I reached 115. I later started to notice the temp gauge was pretty high, and later went into the red zone. When i stopped the vehicle, smoke came out and on my way home the engine gave out. I bought a quart of motor oil and the car started and continued my drive home. About 2 min away my home the engine gave out again. So i had to push it home, well anyway, the car turns on but quickly shuts back off. What could be the problem, thanks guys:1zhelp:

 

[benchwarmer]

Let me guess, white smoke and a strong miss?

 

[caballo]

yea the engine starts but turns off immediately.

This morning the engine actually started, but after a little warming up smoke still came out from the engine when i pushed the throttle. My only guess is an exhaust leak. any ideas? thanks

 

[benchwarmer]

I can almost guarantee it's a blown headgasket. Are you low on coolant? Do a compression test, let us know what the results are.

Edit: Also when you added oil, how low was it? Do you leaks of any kind anywhere?

 

[caballo]

I took the car to my mechanic because i really needed it to drive to work. He replaced the egr gasket, but it dint really do much, the car feels slower, and leaks every time after driving. Im going to do a compression test hopefully tomorrow.

It didnt need any oil, and yes it leaks coolant every time after driving

How much am i looking at to replace the gasket, including labor? And is it worth it on a 200,000+ mile engine? I'd rather just replace the whole engine if it will run me alot of money

thanks

 

[Neal]

where is the coolant leaking from.
If its leaking in to the combustion chamber you will see vapour comming out your exaust.

Another question your car over heated and your mechanic changed the EGR gaskit, How can a leaking EGR gaskit cause a over heat issue? Maybe there's some thing i dont know perhaps (scraches head).

if i were you i'll hunt that water leak down and shut it up and check to see if it over heats.

 

[benchwarmer]

I don't know how much it would cost to have a shop do it. I don't trust them so I do my own work. The gasket itself is under $100 and the job isn't particularly difficult. It shouldn't run more than a few hundred dollars to have it done by someone else. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some accurate numbers.

Do the compression test first before you commit to anything, though. It's best to be sure you know what the problem is before you try to fix it.

EDIT: Neal is correct about the water leak. Let us know where it is coming from. I can't think of any reason why an EGR gasket would affect the heat either.

 

[gaboonviper85]

I don't know how much it would cost to have a shop do it. I don't trust them so I do my own work. The gasket itself is under $100 and the job isn't particularly difficult. It shouldn't run more than a few hundred dollars to have it done by someone else. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some accurate numbers.

Do the compression test first before you commit to anything, though. It's best to be sure you know what the problem is before you try to fix it.

EDIT: Neal is correct about the water leak. Let us know where it is coming from. I can't think of any reason why an EGR gasket would affect the heat either.

Oh please....good luck finding an everyday shop that will do it for less than $800!

 

[jgcable]

Oh please....good luck finding an everyday shop that will do it for less than $800!

I just did mine so I am qualified to respond.

Parts and machining (you really have to get the head planed flat if you want to do it the right way) cost me $750.00
That included all the gaskets, belts, head bolts, a new timing belt, water pump, machine shop costs, valve stem seals, injector O rings and cushions, hoses etc.... Several of the parts you will have to get from the dealership.
If you aren't a mechanic and you don't have a workshop or a fair amount of tools it is a difficult job. Its incredible how many parts you have to remove. That motor is loaded with hoses, sensors etc..
There are several tools that you will have to purchase if you don't have them. A special spring compressor to remove the valve springs, a good torque wrench, metric tools and a gigantic breaker bar to remove the crank pulley.
It took me 4 weeks to do it after work and on weekends. I did much reading and asked a ton of questions and did it right the first time. After the job is done you MUST retorque the heads after 7-10 heat cycles.
When the head gasket went (it was a very minor leak into one of the combustion chambers) I took it to my local mechanic for a leak down test to confirm the BHG. For the heck of it I asked how much he would charge to do it. This service station works on all kinds of cars. He quoted me between $1400 and $1700 providing the head didn't need to be disassembled and machined. It did. That would have cost me an additional $100.00 for the machine work and $500.00 to take apart the head and put it back together.
BTW.... a local machine shop quoted me around $1000.00 to take the head apart, machine it and put it all back together.
Bottom line.... it seems to me that almost 100% of the time when you see a MKIII for sale its because it has a BHG and the owner can't fix it themselves.
I don't want to scare you but many of the Supra maniacs around here must be VERY good mechanics because many times you will hear that doing a BHG on this car is pretty easy.
I have built many a motor in my day and have wrenched cars since the mid 70's and I will tell you that it was a monster of a job.

 

[jgcable]

Let me add also that it was a very rewarding job and I couldn't have done it without the help of this incredible message board!!

 

[caballo]

thanks for the help guys, i got the leak fixed, but the car doesn't feel the same, and seems to have a slow response. I really do suspect a bhg now! Hopefully it wont have to come to down to machining the engine..

 

[cuel]

If you described the symptoms to your "mechanic" as you did here, and all he did was replace the egr gasket, you need a new mechanic. Preferably one who knows what he's doing.

If all you did was blow the head gasket, you should consider yourself lucky. Running an engine hot until it quits usually trashes internals like piston rings, rod and main bearings, etc.

For the h.g. job, I'd charge around $1000, parts and labor. Have it out in about 2 to 3 days, with a warranty. Prices where you are could be a good bit higher. If you find someone who will do it cheaper, remember that you get what you pay for...

Good luck...

 

[hvyman]

burning coolant bhg