JamesDolan

Hello,
I have having a Very hard time figureing out what is wrong with my 92 ES300. I was driving along on on interstate a couple nights ago, and all of a sudden I had no power what so ever (foot on the gas slowing down). I pulled to the side of the rode and stalled. Tryed to restart can stalled. After trying a few times the starter was unable to turn the motor over, a couple slow cranks like the battery was dead, all lights were working fine.

The next night I had it towed to a shop. He was able to start it the battery was fine, and it sounded like hell. Developed an exhaust leak and sounded like there was a horrible tapping/rattling he thinks broken rocker arm or some other internal damage.

The car only has 115k miles on it, and the oil was just changed. I find it hard to beleive that the engine is trash. It will start now and seems to idle fine, it does have what sounds like top end tapping, and has no power what so ever, it can not move under its own power. Could it be that the timing skipped a little? Or maybe a clogged catalyic converter? I am at a complete loss at this point. I really hope this car can be saved with out costing me a few grand for a rebuilt engine.

Thank you,
James

mdbrown

Sounds like he might be right, might want to look at a possible clogged cat as well although if that happened on the highway it might very well break a camshaft...

hypervish

What's the oil level now, and what was it when the car lost power?

JamesDolan

The oil looks good, still full and clean, it was just changed a few hundred miles ago, and doesn't look like it has any coolant in it.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

hook up a vacuum gauge and tell us whats the vacuum reading.

JamesDolan

I went today to at least try to look at my car. I don't have a vacuum or compression gauge, wasn't able to check that. I did check the oil again, and coolant.

The oil is now high and thin, and coolant is brown and looks like it has oil in it.

So, I suppose I have a cracked head, blown head gasket, or worst case cracked block. I really don't understand how this would have happened. But it is what it is.

It would be great if there is anyone around that might be able to guess what this is going to cost me. Also, it would be great to know what could have caused this kind of failure.

ASG14

iTrader: (1)

Itls a known issue on the 92-93 engine. I've seen it many times. What it costs will depend on a lot. BEST CASE it only needs a new head gasket. But due to the fact it has no power, my guess is it overheated very bad, that you now need a new engine.

Most likely the Prev owner did not take car of the car. I know someone who last year blew the head gasket on his with 74k miles because he refused to do any regular maintence to it. Still had the original coolant from 1993 which ended up destroying the head gasket I think.

EEngineer

well, fortunately, the 3VZ motor is cheap, widely available and can be easily swapped.
you are looking at probably $1500 tops parts and labours for a engine swap

JamesDolan

Really think that is what is has come to. New motor. The car looks like it has been sitting in grand ma's garage for the last 20 years. I really know very little of the history of this car, I've only owned it for a little while. I've owned other Toyotas that were impossible to kill, I would have thought the same from this one.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

You got a broken head gasket my friend...

maliko

Mine gave way on the highway too. Would not start. When it did start the was a knocking sound in the engine. Took it to a shop and they said i had blown the head gaskets and cracked a cylinder. Was going to have them replaced but but the cost was humongous. Do like i did....get a new motor and save yourself some money. Might cost you about $1300, depending on where you do it.