BigPopSC

Hey guys,
Not sure if it is but hope not.
I have a 98' sc300. +140k

Long story short. Left country, relative used car while gone, low coolant level, overheated, "smoke from under hood" but I doubt was probably steam, checked by mechanic, blown head gasket, quoted $2500.


So symptoms are:

Won't start, tries to but fully can't. Sounds like a bad starter or almost dead battery. Will replace battery tomorrow.

Clean oil.

Radiator cap has crusted creamish color layer on it.

Radiator looks like it has cream dried in between ridges.

Here are couple of pics.

Havent had time to pay as much attention as I should.


Plan on doing the radiator color test thing.

Any things else I should check before?

SexyLexy

You can do a compression test. Generally your oil will look creamy like that. If you have been losing coolant and it is going to "nowhere" chances are your mechanic is right. Sorry about that, mine blew last year so I know your pain. I did not see it in the oil, however my coolant was red. Took mine to the Lexus dealer who performed a CO2 test to diagnose mine. If you have ever wanted to do an engine build now is your time!

BigPopSC

Thanks for the reply. So if this creamy thing is oil which is in my radiator then its probably a BHG?

FatBrian81

iTrader: (2)

More than likely, I think someone owes you a head gasket job. On the other had, how handy are you ? The parts are very cheap, the vast majority of the price is labor. Make the relative pay you the $2500, do the work yourself and install a head gasket for a turbo motor, spend the other $2400 on a turbo and accessories.

mak89

iTrader: (6)

if you were to swap for the same motor (2jzge vvti) could it be a straight swap with an is300 2jzge vvti or gs300 2jzge vvti?

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

darn im sorry to hear that .

I dont want to stir the fire here but what was your relative doing to your car?

I mean i think it is pretty hard to b low a head gasket on these.

Was he or she just totally abusing it?

B1TEM3

its not very hard to blow a headgasket if you use the car with low coolant. I had the radiator replaced and it was loosing coolant from the old radiator cap, without me knowing about it. The coolant was slowly evaporate, on my case. One day the temp gauge rise high and I had to stop, but it was too late.

mak89

iTrader: (6)

I got the same issue.
-Starts on first try
-No oil in coolant
-Oil looks fine, not creamy
-My water pumps relief hole pours water out whenever I pour coolant in.
-Smoke comes from radiator but i'm pretty sure that just coolant burning

I'm hoping its just a bad water pump. I'll have more time after final exams this week to do a compression test on the cylinders.

abounly

iTrader: (27)

Agree, its pretty easy to blow a head gasket dont know where you heard that from. Simple from overheating you can blow head gasket. Low coolant, water staying in high rpms. etc

mr/griffin

that sucks, for 2500 you could get a gte!
i drove my 94 jeep to houston texas with a split radiator and didnt change it out for another 6 months
my es300 had a wrong psi cap on it for a year, i never blew 1 head gasket

javi93

hey does anyone know any good brands to look at when buying a head gasket... i need a new one cuz my car is starting to leak oil around the last two spark plugs

mak89

iTrader: (6)

Most likely your valve cover gaskets. Hell lot better than a hg

lex92sc300

iTrader: (3)

Most definitely valve cover gasket way better than hg and if you do a head gasket stock twin turbo head gasket and arp bolts good to go to get that thing a snail

Nova

iTrader: (21)

as stated about check compression and do a cylinder leakdown test. that will give u the best indication of whats wrong. if u dont have the ability to do the work yourself (which is why, im guessing, you got a quote) then i would start looking into a swap

lex92sc300

iTrader: (3)

Agreed but leak don probly see it first but would pull compression check also