Trouble-T

Hey guys I am having a huge problem and need some input. I have a 1999 GS 400 with 188,000 miles. I went to crank my car up yesterday morning and it turned over and made a knocking noise. I turned the ignition key off and the engine was still knocking and the serpentine belt was still spinning. I tried to see if the car would at least turn on again and the whole thing was dead no dash lights, clicks, or anything. So I had the car towed to Sparks Toyota and they said the battery was really low and the starter had failed. So I took the car home replaced the starter and the battery. But when I went to crank it up it still made the knocking noise, the car shut off, and white smoke was coming out of the exhaust. While it was running the check engine light and vsc lights did not come on. If you have any Ideas please let me know.

Dons98GS

Where did the knocking noise sound like it was coming from? Are you sure it wasn't like a grayish-black smoke & was it very thick, cloudy smoke or was it like steam? Did you have any recent overheating issues? I am new to the forum, but I can probably give you some input.

Thanks
Don

McKrevice

iTrader: (1)

if that white smoke smelled sweet, you popped a head gasket

sikkwidit

iTrader: (5)

For the knocking noise check ur spark plugs they might be loose, I had the knocking noise also nd took it to several lexus specialist nd no one knew what it was so i took it to sears cuz some of my buddies work at the auto center nd they knew wat it was off the bat so try that, if dats not it idk wat it can be

Trouble-T

The noise is coming from the top of the engine and I know it is time for my timing belt to be changed. The thick white smoke didnt come until after I changed the starter and im thinking that was because the antifreeze leaked a little in the engine. Im just hoping the timing belt has jumped off and no valves are broken. Also, I have never had any overheating issues since I had the car and I dont think it ran long enough to blow the head gasket.

Dons98GS

If antifreeze did leak in the engine it could of washed the oil off the valvetrain & caused it to clatter, but it would depend on how much fell inside the motor. When was your last t-belt change?

Trouble-T

I bought the car at 113,000 miles and now it has 188,000. I havent changed the timing belt since I had the car. Today I pulled out all of the spark plugs and they were carboned up. I have NGK Laser Cut Iridiums and they were purchase about six months ago. I think when I replaced the starter the antifreeze somehow got into the chamber and fouled out the plugs.

Dons98GS

Hey did u find the problem with you GS?

Trouble-T

Yeah I found the problem. I changed out the spark plugs, put new o rings on the fuel injectors, and tightened down the intake manifold. The car has been running fine ever since.

tinman

Excellent! Thanks for the update.

Dons98GS

Thats great man. Glad you got it going

Trouble-T

Well I thought I had the car fixed. Now my check engine light is on. The code is P0171 (System running lean on bank 1). Sometimes the car drives normal and sometimes it stalls when I go to accelerate. I havent been able to pinpoint whats causing this yet.

sjlexus408

iTrader: (4)

If its running lean you might have a vacuum leak around ur intake area or u left some vavuum hose loose check those first

tinman

Vacuum leak. Get some old style carburetor starting fluid and start straying around your intake/top of your engine. If your engine starts revving, you have found the issue.

Trouble-T

Hey guys I sprayed carburetor cleaner around the intake manifold gasket and the car started to rev up and stall. So you were right it is leaking from the intake manifold gasket.