[MamaYoda1982]

I'm working on a 2001 Avalon XLS. About 3vweeks ago I did a huge tune-up on it. My friend gave it to his brother when it had almost 220,000 miles on it. It now has 270,000 miles. This is his first car and he knows 0% about cars. Anyways he didn't keep up with maintenance or anything. His car was throwing codes left and right. Had to replace oil pump, water pump, timing belt, thermostat, spark plugs, 2 oxygen sensors, the MAF sensor, the VVT sensor. Everything went great. No issues when he took it home. Anyways he calls me up 2 days ago saying that out of no where his car overheated so bad and fast that the car shut down on its own. Got it back to my place and we decided to do a cooling system flush to see if there may have been a blockage somewhere. Did the flush with no chemicals, just with a flush adapter kit and the garden hose. Followed all directions to the T. Had no issues up until I actually started the car during the flush like the directions stated to do. Started the car and turned the heater on, about a minute or so later I get out of the car to check on things and I saw all the engine oil just pouring out all over the floor. I turned the vehicle off and the water. Checked the oil dipstick and all there was in it was water. Any ideas as to why and what has caused this to happen? I need help figuring this cars issue out and fast.

 

[ukrkoz]

Crack in the had or engine block. There is no fast repair to that. Even if it's just a real bad gasket.

 

[eherlihy]

Started the car and turned the heater on, about a minute or so later I get out of the car to check on things and I saw all the engine oil just pouring out all over the floor. I turned the vehicle off and the water. Checked the oil dipstick and all there was in it was water

I would say that you thoroughly flushed the engine.

Put a fork in that engine... I think that it's done.

 

[Pkrface]

The guy that knows nothing about cars likely didn't recognize the early signs of overheating and probably missed his chance to save the engine. Seen it plenty of times when somebody rolls into the shop with steam rolling out of the engine compartment and I asked them how far they drove it like that. When they reply not far and I ask for more specifics only to find out 5 miles or more I know the engine is toast. When that gauge hits hot the only chance you have is to turn the key off and coast to the side of the road. Anything beyond that and it's a goner. Time for a used engine or a new car.

 

[mgill355]

You learn the hard way or the easy way. If the needle touches the line, the engine needs to be shut off, period. I cooked an old Plymouth once (I was a lot younger) but at least it was a cheap mistake. That's disappointing that all that work was done just prior...

 

[[email protected]]

I almost think this was posted on here a few weeks ago? Is there any chance the hoses for coolant at the throttle body somehow got mixed up with hoses that run to the valve covers or PCV system, or other hoses for that matter?

 

[abacus32]

I almost think this was posted on here a few weeks ago? Is there any chance the hoses for coolant at the throttle body somehow got mixed up with hoses that run to the valve covers or PCV system, or other hoses for that matter?

Frankie.

2001 Toyota Avalon lx, overheating

OK so I bought a 2001, with the 24 valve 3 liter, after a few hundred miles on it git the code for knock sensors going out, I pulled it apart replaced the sensors and gaskets including valve cover gaskets, when i got it back together it started and ran fine, no codes, then it started getting hot...

www.toyotanation.com

If the thermostat was defective, as was suggested previously, or installed wrong, it would explain why the flush didn't work and it just overheated (again). If there was any hope of saving this engine, it's lost for lack of a $12 part.

 

[[email protected]]

The engine shouldn’t have overfilled with water/coolant that fast, which is why I wonder if he has a coolant hose swapped with a vacuum hose or a crankcase vent hose, that would fill the engine petty quickly. At this point the engine is probably junk, it was over heated badly and the flush filled the crankcase, very unusual it would still run with that much coolant and water entering the crankcase.