Coolant Leak Engine Stalled

[RRT]

Hello:

I own a 1996 toyota camry. I did 105k service on it 2 days back. yesterday evening while I was driving on a highway I had a massive radiator coolant leak. I was driving in the middle lane at peak hours so was not able stop even though the entire coolant was flushed and the check engine light came on. I should have driven about 15 minutes before I took an exit where I got to slow down. When I did slow down black smoke started to come out of the hood and the car stalled and came to a complete stop. I got it towed to the repair shop. The shop was closed by the time I reached there. They will look at my car today. I am worried and freaking out with the taught that my engine could be dead..and I will need to junk the car. Do you think that is a possibility or I am freaking out without reason?

Thanks for your help

[ghettosled]

was the check engine light your first sign you had no coolent? was the temp guage already in the red and then you still drove for another 15 minutes until you stopped? honestly its never good to drive a car after it loses coolent. keep your fingers crossed that nothing major happened, but it is a distinct possibility.

are you sure it was the radiator that leaked and not the water pump? during this 105k mile service, was the timing belt and water pump replaced?

[RRT]

When I first noticed the heat indication was in the middle rising fast that's when I noticed the coolant is running out. The traffice was heavy although flowing, If could have stopped, there was a possibility of me getting kiiled in an accident...and moreover the panic had set in when I noticed the leak. I really hope that my engine is not fried in the process.
Yes they had chnaged the timing belt and Gasket in my 105K service

[toyomoho]

Never know but be prepared for the worst. Black smoke coming out is not a good sign.

At least you were not killed or injured. If bad news look around for a good used engine, as rebuilding or buying a rebuilt is often much more expensive.

Find out where the coolant leaked out of, it is possible the service shop should have noticed this. If the top or bottom of the radiator split (being plastic) this is common and not something the shop would inspect for.