Overheating V6 smoker.

[amerikim]

Saturday night, while on the way to work, I accelerated past some slower cars going uphill, and I started to smell coolant. I also heard the belt squealing. Immediatedly thought water pump failure. I backed off the throttle as I crested the top of the incline and immediately started looking for a safe place to pull over off the freeway. As I decelerated, water temperature was rising and car started running really rough as the rpms fell off. I pulled over with flashers going and turned engine off.
Traffic too heavy so I thought to see if I could limp it to the next exit about a mile away. Car started rough and was throwing major white smoke. I accelerated to traffic speed eyeing the temp gauge which started going towards the dreaded red line. Exited freeway and made an immediated right and turned engine off again. I had a container with a little coolant in it. The overflow tank was hissing and I was pissed because I was calling work to report coming in late and they were giving me a rashing.
I walked to nearby house and they nicely filled my coolant container with water. Damn car took almost the whole container. Decided to move car to a side street as I was causing traffic to backup. Car started, billowing white smoke and I pulled into side street and shut it off. Called mechanic (Sunnyside Auto in Clackamas Oregon) and he said to get it towed over, he'll go over it first thing Monday. AAA showed in in 20 minutes, towed it to shop.
By then I finally calmed down.
Yup, I believe I got the dreaded blown head gasket.
I believe the engine running rough was coolant getting into the combustion chamber, causing the miss and all that white smoke from the exhaust.
This is going to suck, just before Christmas too.
Spoke to mechanic and he is staying away from pricing. He did say not to worry too much, worst case he says there are lots of low milage engines available for my V6. He thinks though that it may not be that bad since I didn't hear any clanking noises or seize up.
He is reserving opinion though till he sees it tomorrow.
Will update the damage report if anyone is interested.

[boombringer]

I'm afraid to go up hills now.

[papariccardo]

Always interested, Kim. That's a bugger - it's always water issues that kill the 3VZ. I watch my temp like a hawk, especially while I have the current clogging issues in the cooling system. Best of luck, sorry about Xmas.

[marc780]

Good buddy:
1. Dump car or fix it.
2. Dump POS job or fixit.
3. I stand in your shoes, have at it.
4. Fingers crossed!

[ASG14]

Yeah, I was going to saw BHG before I read the entire thing. Because you drove with it for so long, it may be a better idea to replace the engine. Good luck though. Hope you get it fixed at a good price.

[Luckynumber5]

I actually vote replace the engine, all in all its about as much work and you get a lower mileage engine.

[94CoupeV6]

Yeah, depending on the damage, you're going to want a new motor more than likely. Luckily for you, a 3VZ-FE with lower miles would probably be relatively cheap (it probably wouldn't cost too much more to replace the motor than to repair it).

Good luck either way, and keep us posted!

[Kep]

I hate to agree but a replacement engine may be the way to go cost wise. If you can get to him before the he starts, you might ask the mechanic what he will need charge to evaluate the engine. If it is a significant part of the cost of a replacement engine you might just want to go ahead with the replacement.

Kep

[amerikim]

Depressing week. Finally did get the dirt..
Blown head gasket but with no other visible/telltale issues.
Repairing engine is going to cost pretty close to dropping a low milage replacement in.
Opting to go for replacement engine, all in for $2500..I had many miles on the original.
Old faithful just got a second lease on life and I slip furthur into the financial hole.
Played with the idea of walking away or breaking for parts but I actually like the car.
What kind of car can you get for $2500 anyways?
I figure two years and I will have recovered the investment.
BTW, I have the H&R/Tokico/Whiteline riding on 17s with Yokohama VR4s, I will not trade that out.
I have a SHO I borrowed from a friend while the car is in the shop, the SHO has a better engine but my Camry can out handle this sucker.

[rebiszkrzys]

Sorry to hear about that. I have a 93 3VZFE that i like a lot and I would probably do the same thing if I were you, meaning puting in a used engine IF you have a lot of miles but otherwise I would honestly work on the existing engine and this way in the future you would know what was repaired on it and etc. Buying a used one is going to be a few hundred $ less however who knows what shape that engine is going to be and if you wont be facing the same issue in a year or two. That also depends on how long you plan on keeping this car for.