DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
Winching
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 504
Likes: 58
From: Richmond, VA
RE: DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
Sean,
There is a reason why the engine coolant got low enough to overheat to begin with. Either the thermostat stuck causing the coolant to boil off, or you have a leak in the coolong system (possibly a head gasket failure).
Further, aluminum engines do not deal well with overheating and are subject to warpage- particularly between the cylinder heads and block. The cooling system leak down test should find this but I wouldn't take it on a long road trip until you know for certain.
Cheers,
Dave
There is a reason why the engine coolant got low enough to overheat to begin with. Either the thermostat stuck causing the coolant to boil off, or you have a leak in the coolong system (possibly a head gasket failure).
Further, aluminum engines do not deal well with overheating and are subject to warpage- particularly between the cylinder heads and block. The cooling system leak down test should find this but I wouldn't take it on a long road trip until you know for certain.
Cheers,
Dave
Thread Starter
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8th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
RE: DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
I want to say THANK YOU all for the replies.. I am learning ALOT, ALOT about all of this from jus this post alone..
the vehicle is at one of the best radiator shop's in town as we speak.. and I'm keepin my fingers crossed... hope everything is okay.. they are going to look for the leak and call me wit an update on this free estimate...
but with that said and DONE>> i must prepare for the worst...
I leave for the road trip this friday!!!
1. if it is a head gasket issue.... whats the worst that could happen if i drive this down 1200 miles.. obviously keepin an eye on coolant level and toppin off when necessary.. ??? obviously i would have it repaired before i bring it back up.. but in essence i jus need to get it down there.. <---surely the evidence no i say HOPEFULLY it can't be a blown gasket or dropped liner as there would be clear evidence of this right? i.e. water in the oil and vice versa or at the very least WHITE smoke out the tailpipe... as of yet. none of those are present...
2. if its a bad thermostat or leak somewhere OTHER then the head gasket, again same scenario?
my thinkin is this.. EVEN if it leaks its so small that it took me months to finally notice... and since this started happenin monday and the Tuffy guy's topped it off, I've been drivin it fine and everything works back to normal... no apparent leak, temp gauge is fine and the SERVICE ENGINE soon light went off and key word... STAYED OFF...
what do you al think? again i only ask because of the desperate situation i'm in....aka pressed for time like no other...
any and all INPUT appreciated!
oNe
the vehicle is at one of the best radiator shop's in town as we speak.. and I'm keepin my fingers crossed... hope everything is okay.. they are going to look for the leak and call me wit an update on this free estimate...
but with that said and DONE>> i must prepare for the worst...
I leave for the road trip this friday!!!
1. if it is a head gasket issue.... whats the worst that could happen if i drive this down 1200 miles.. obviously keepin an eye on coolant level and toppin off when necessary.. ??? obviously i would have it repaired before i bring it back up.. but in essence i jus need to get it down there.. <---surely the evidence no i say HOPEFULLY it can't be a blown gasket or dropped liner as there would be clear evidence of this right? i.e. water in the oil and vice versa or at the very least WHITE smoke out the tailpipe... as of yet. none of those are present...
2. if its a bad thermostat or leak somewhere OTHER then the head gasket, again same scenario?
my thinkin is this.. EVEN if it leaks its so small that it took me months to finally notice... and since this started happenin monday and the Tuffy guy's topped it off, I've been drivin it fine and everything works back to normal... no apparent leak, temp gauge is fine and the SERVICE ENGINE soon light went off and key word... STAYED OFF...
what do you al think? again i only ask because of the desperate situation i'm in....aka pressed for time like no other...
any and all INPUT appreciated!
oNe
Camel Trophy
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 11
From: Tulsa, OK
RE: DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
I need head gaskets and mine is just seeping out of the side. I don't go any further than 5 miles from home and have another vehicle. I know it could let loose at any time. Same for you. It could let go halfway there and then you are stuck. Please note that if you drop a liner, your block is done. You will need a new motor. period.
If it is something else, like a hose or radiator, fix it before you go. If it is the thermostat sticking,, same thing. I guess what I am trying to tell you is that you should fix the leak before you make your trip, but if you don't keep your eyes glued to the temp gauge and check your coolant level every chance you have. Just because the check engine light isn't on doesn't mean you are ok. With cooling issues, if the truck gets so hot the CEL is triggered, most times you have a really big problem.
Good
If it is something else, like a hose or radiator, fix it before you go. If it is the thermostat sticking,, same thing. I guess what I am trying to tell you is that you should fix the leak before you make your trip, but if you don't keep your eyes glued to the temp gauge and check your coolant level every chance you have. Just because the check engine light isn't on doesn't mean you are ok. With cooling issues, if the truck gets so hot the CEL is triggered, most times you have a really big problem.
Good
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,707
Likes: 107
From: Denver, Colorado
RE: DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
ORIGINAL: Sean Price
I want to say THANK YOU all for the replies.. I am learning ALOT, ALOT about all of this from jus this post alone..
the vehicle is at one of the best radiator shop's in town as we speak.. and I'm keepin my fingers crossed... hope everything is okay.. they are going to look for the leak and call me wit an update on this free estimate...
but with that said and DONE>> i must prepare for the worst...
I leave for the road trip this friday!!!
1. if it is a head gasket issue.... whats the worst that could happen if i drive this down 1200 miles.. obviously keepin an eye on coolant level and toppin off when necessary.. ??? obviously i would have it repaired before i bring it back up.. but in essence i jus need to get it down there.. <---surely the evidence no i say HOPEFULLY it can't be a blown gasket or dropped liner as there would be clear evidence of this right? i.e. water in the oil and vice versa or at the very least WHITE smoke out the tailpipe... as of yet. none of those are present...
2. if its a bad thermostat or leak somewhere OTHER then the head gasket, again same scenario?
my thinkin is this.. EVEN if it leaks its so small that it took me months to finally notice... and since this started happenin monday and the Tuffy guy's topped it off, I've been drivin it fine and everything works back to normal... no apparent leak, temp gauge is fine and the SERVICE ENGINE soon light went off and key word... STAYED OFF...
what do you al think? again i only ask because of the desperate situation i'm in....aka pressed for time like no other...
any and all INPUT appreciated!
oNe
I want to say THANK YOU all for the replies.. I am learning ALOT, ALOT about all of this from jus this post alone..
the vehicle is at one of the best radiator shop's in town as we speak.. and I'm keepin my fingers crossed... hope everything is okay.. they are going to look for the leak and call me wit an update on this free estimate...
but with that said and DONE>> i must prepare for the worst...
I leave for the road trip this friday!!!
1. if it is a head gasket issue.... whats the worst that could happen if i drive this down 1200 miles.. obviously keepin an eye on coolant level and toppin off when necessary.. ??? obviously i would have it repaired before i bring it back up.. but in essence i jus need to get it down there.. <---surely the evidence no i say HOPEFULLY it can't be a blown gasket or dropped liner as there would be clear evidence of this right? i.e. water in the oil and vice versa or at the very least WHITE smoke out the tailpipe... as of yet. none of those are present...
2. if its a bad thermostat or leak somewhere OTHER then the head gasket, again same scenario?
my thinkin is this.. EVEN if it leaks its so small that it took me months to finally notice... and since this started happenin monday and the Tuffy guy's topped it off, I've been drivin it fine and everything works back to normal... no apparent leak, temp gauge is fine and the SERVICE ENGINE soon light went off and key word... STAYED OFF...
what do you al think? again i only ask because of the desperate situation i'm in....aka pressed for time like no other...
any and all INPUT appreciated!
oNe
"NO" not less you want to buy an engine.
Make other plans.
Winching
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 504
Likes: 58
From: Richmond, VA
RE: DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
Report back with what the radiator shop says. Bear in mind that you've also recently overheated the engine which means a high potential for damage to the heads and gaskets. It is in an unstable condition until both the root cause of the original overheating incident is found and any further damage is conclusively ruled out. You have neither data point right now.
Listen to what the people here are telling you. A 1200 mile trip with a bad head gasket or a compromised cooling system is foolish. If you break down on the road, you could have problems you haven't even considered yet...especially in the winter. Buy a plane ticket or rent a car for a one way trip if you have to but DON'T drive iton the tripuntil the aforementioned data points are conclusively determined and fixed. Period. Hands down.
Regards,
Dave
Listen to what the people here are telling you. A 1200 mile trip with a bad head gasket or a compromised cooling system is foolish. If you break down on the road, you could have problems you haven't even considered yet...especially in the winter. Buy a plane ticket or rent a car for a one way trip if you have to but DON'T drive iton the tripuntil the aforementioned data points are conclusively determined and fixed. Period. Hands down.
Regards,
Dave
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 940
Likes: 4
From: Ballston Lake, NY
RE: DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
ORIGINAL: howellja
I wonder if this guy listened? or if he is now in the market for a new motor?
I wonder if this guy listened? or if he is now in the market for a new motor?
Camel Trophy
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 11
From: Tulsa, OK
RE: DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
Yeah, he didn't take any advice and is stranded in Mexico.
https://landroverforums.com/m_47733/tm.htm
https://landroverforums.com/m_47733/tm.htm
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 940
Likes: 4
From: Ballston Lake, NY
RE: DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
ORIGINAL: okdiscoguy
Yeah, he didn't take any advice and is stranded in Mexico.
https://landroverforums.com/m_47733/tm.htm
Yeah, he didn't take any advice and is stranded in Mexico.
https://landroverforums.com/m_47733/tm.htm
Camel Trophy
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 11
From: Tulsa, OK
RE: DESPERATE need help/input, Service Engine light on, smokin coolant resavoir!!
yeah, it is amazing how people ask for advice, but don't follow. He was still doing it in that post. He will order the parts and still find he has blown the motor.