What happened to my car?

danazzy

I ran into a massive problem with my car. Someone threw a bottle at my car from their car. Their car was coming on the other side of the lane. I was driving about 140kph and I would assume they were driving at that speed as well.
Anyway, the bottle hit the grille, broke through it and damaged the radiator badly. I didn't expect a bottle could have made this much damage so I didn't stop my car after I was hit. All I knew that it hit my car really hard, if it hit the windscreen I might have reacted and swerved the car. Lucky escape?
No!
Since, I didn't stop the car. The engine started to boil without me noticing. The temperature gauge remained the same so I could not tell. I kept driving the car until about 56km of driving, I started to the heater wasn't working and my car was slowing down. The car started to make clicky noise every time I depressed the accelerator to speed up. So, to avoid the clicky noise, I lowered the gear and used as less of gas as possible. I kept lowering the gear until I was on the hill. It wouldn't go anymore. Then the engine light came on and I stopped the car immediately.
I know I should have stopped the car the moment the car started to make clicky noise but it was 2 o'clock in the morning, christmas day and I was 2km away from home. So, I wanted to go home first and then find out why it's making this weird noise.
I got out of the car and all I could see is a cloud of white smoke coming out of the bonnet. I looked inside the car and realised my car charger was also melted. Within 5 minutes, the battery and all the electronics died.
Now, all I know that the battery is dead.
Radiator is broken and
The engine turns but won't start.

Therefore, I would like to ask your advice/wisdom, what could go wrong with my car?

I took it to a garage, he said the engine is gone, but I don't believe him. I think the sparks aren't getting enough power for the engine to start. The heat might have damaged the electronics.

He is asking for a lot of money to replace the engine and the radiator, but before I go about putting a new engine, if ye could help me out to process my thoughts, I'd be really appreciative.

I'm not very clued into the whole DIY thing, but would insurance cover this? It's effectively a hit and run, I'd imagine? It sounds like a bit of a write off, to me, considering the amount of damage caused (and no doubt there'll be a fairly hefty bill at the end of it all). (unless it's a very expensive or new car, obviously).


Also, can I ask, just out of curiousity, where were you when it happened? (two cars going 140kph in opposite directions but not on a motorway?).


Really sorry to hear about that. Actually makes me mad thinking people could do that. Was it intentional (ie; did they really actually aim for you?) On Christmas Day, no less.

ARGINITE

Sounds like the engine is toast but if your not happy with what the garage quoted you then get a second opinion.
How much were you quoted for a new engine?
Also make and model of car?

Chemical Byrne

From what you describe it sounds as if your engine is completely toasted unfortunately. Very badly damaged at least, probably even by the time the clicking started.

You basically drove it 56km without coolant.

sogood

You kept driving because you wanted to get home first, 2km away, but managed to drive fro 56km? And you were driving at 140kph? Where was this?

BTW, sorry for your troubles and it does sound like your engine is toast.

Chemical Byrne

I think he means he drove 56 km since he hit the bottle and 2 km since the clicking started.

Did you get it towed/trucked to the garage then?

What do you mean your car charger is melted? I don't understand. Do you keep a battery charger or something under the bonnet?

danazzy

danazzy wrote: »

............ The engine started to boil without me noticing. The temperature gauge remained the same so I could not tell. I kept driving the car until about 56km of driving, I started to the heater wasn't working and my car was slowing down. The car started to make clicky noise every time I depressed the accelerator to speed up. So, to avoid the clicky noise, I lowered the gear and used as less of gas as possible. I kept lowering the gear until I was on the hill. It wouldn't go anymore. Then the engine light came on and I stopped the car immediately.
...........................I got out of the car and all I could see is a cloud of white smoke coming out of the bonnet. I looked inside the car and realised my car charger was also melted. Within 5 minutes, the battery and all the electronics died. ............................
Therefore, I would like to ask your advice/wisdom, what could go wrong with my car?
.........................

No coolant so the engine overheated, you kept going so catastrophic failure and potential damage to electrics etc due to huge heat under the bonnet.

Wouldn't be sure what caused the charger to melt or if that's literally what happened but fromwhat you say I can assure you it's not simply a case of the spark plugs not getting enough power.

Your car is scrap now unless it was a €5k + motor before this incident I imagine.

Chemical Byrne

Yeah spark plugs are the least of your worries.
More like jammed valves, warped head/block, and butchered up pistons and cylinders.

As said, unless your car was fairly valuable to begin with it might not be worth replacing the engine. Unless you can find a good scrap engine very cheap.

corktina

Moral: something goes wrong....stop and get assistance

Chemical Byrne

Definitely. Some years ago my sister had a fine passat but she's clueless about maintenance. She let it run down on oil until the dash light came on. She noticed it but took no notice of it, so to speak. Guess how that worked out.

jimgoose

Chemical Byrne wrote: »

Definitely. Some years ago my sister had a fine passat but she's clueless about maintenance. She let it run down on oil until the dash light came on. She noticed it but took no notice of it, so to speak. Guess how that worked out.

Welcome to Banjaxed City! To your right you'll see the Spun Journal Bearings, and just up here to the left is the Scored Cylinder Walls! :pac:

renofan

corktina wrote: »

Moral: something goes wrong....stop and get assistance

Chemical Byrne wrote: »

Definitely. Some years ago my sister had a fine passat but she's clueless about maintenance. She let it run down on oil until the dash light came on. She noticed it but took no notice of it, so to speak. Guess how that worked out.

Back in 2006 a friend had just bought the latest Impreza Sti, car was two weeks old when the wife was driving it, a lorry threw up a massive stone which punctured the rad. She kept driving even when the red warning light came on. That was one expensive repair.

Alanstrainor

From what you describe, it sounds like the mechanic is correct in saying that the engine is toast. Unfortunate given the time of year etc, but lesson learned.

What car is it?

_Brian

danazzy wrote: »

I ran into a massive problem with my car. Someone threw a bottle at my car from their car. Their car was coming on the other side of the lane. I was driving about 140kph and I would assume they were driving at that speed as well.
Anyway, the bottle hit the grille, broke through it and damaged the radiator badly. I didn't expect a bottle could have made this much damage so I didn't stop my car after I was hit. All I knew that it hit my car really hard, if it hit the windscreen I might have reacted and swerved the car. Lucky escape?
No!
Since, I didn't stop the car. The engine started to boil without me noticing. The temperature gauge remained the same so I could not tell. I kept driving the car until about 56km of driving, I started to the heater wasn't working and my car was slowing down. The car started to make clicky noise every time I depressed the accelerator to speed up. So, to avoid the clicky noise, I lowered the gear and used as less of gas as possible. I kept lowering the gear until I was on the hill. It wouldn't go anymore. Then the engine light came on and I stopped the car immediately.
I know I should have stopped the car the moment the car started to make clicky noise but it was 2 o'clock in the morning, christmas day and I was 2km away from home. So, I wanted to go home first and then find out why it's making this weird noise.
I got out of the car and all I could see is a cloud of white smoke coming out of the bonnet. I looked inside the car and realised my car charger was also melted. Within 5 minutes, the battery and all the electronics died.
Now, all I know that the battery is dead.
Radiator is broken and
The engine turns but won't start.

Therefore, I would like to ask your advice/wisdom, what could go wrong with my car?

I took it to a garage, he said the engine is gone, but I don't believe him. I think the sparks aren't getting enough power for the engine to start. The heat might have damaged the electronics.

He is asking for a lot of money to replace the engine and the radiator, but before I go about putting a new engine, if ye could help me out to process my thoughts, I'd be really appreciative.

Its interesting that while you seem to know nothing about cars/mechanical issues, you continued to drive the car with obvious serious problems until it stopped, you can visibly see stuff melted..

You don't believe a professional who told you your engine is scrap. ! On what basis do you not believe him ??

Just because you don't like what your being told doesn't make it untrue.

You most probably need an engine change and maybe some electrical work, I'd be 99.9% confident of this without even seeing the car.

Dog of Tears

Considering two of ye were driving towards each other on a 'lane', both at 140km/hr, you're extremely fortunate that it's just a new engine you need and not a couple of coffins.

What irresponsible behaviour!

Alanstrainor

Can we all get off these high horses and just give advice to the OP. If you don't want to, then don't post. Christ on a bike, such posts are out of control...

danazzy

Hey guys, thanks very much for all the comments and I am sorry I didn't provide any details about my car.
It's an 03 Corolla

Chemical Byrne

Start looking for a new car. That's not worth fixing.

professore

Chemical Byrne wrote: »

Start looking for a new car. That's not worth fixing.

Not sure I agree, if he can get a cheap scrap engine it might be worth doing if the car is otherwise sound.

bucketybuck

danazzy wrote: »

I took it to a garage, he said the engine is gone, but I don't believe him.

So why did you bother going to him?

Do you just want to hear that the engine is ok and just needs some wiring repaired? Because if thats all you want to hear I can tell you that for a small fee.

georgefalls

danazzy wrote: »

Hey guys, thanks very much for all the comments and I am sorry I didn't provide any details about my car.
It's an 03 Corolla

You mean 'was' an 03 Corolla

Sorry, couldn't resist that. Shame it happened though

JC01

Part of me actually thinks this thread is a pisstake. You drove a car 30 miles without any coolant in it and now think your mechanic is lying to you when he says the engine is fcuked. If your using a mechanic your not one yourself so why would you think your diagnosis is more accurate than his?

Anyways the cheapest fix is probably if you can get an engine and rad out of a breakers cheap (~300e) and get a mechanic to take the job on as a nixer for 100-200

CiniO

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm not very clued into the whole DIY thing, but would insurance cover this? It's effectively a hit and run, I'd imagine?

Well technically you can consider it hit and run as someone thrown a bottle at OP and run.
But on the other hand, as OP was involved in it, he didn't stop either, so it's a failure to stop at the accident.
I don't believe any insurer will pay out in that case.
If OP stopped on the spot, and upon seeing coolant leaking called his insurer, then case would be completely different, as well as cost of fixing the problem (probably only new radiator and new bumper).

CiniO

danazzy wrote: »

I know I should have stopped the car the moment the car started to make clicky noise but it was 2 o'clock in the morning, christmas day and I was 2km away from home. So, I wanted to go home first and then find out why it's making this weird noise.
.

Well, you should have stopped there and then when you got hit with the bottle.
When engine started making clicky noise it was already too late. It's a lesson for you - unfortunately expensive lesson.

I had similar incident 15 years ago when I was 18 and borrowed car off my dad.
I was driving bit off road (even though car wasn't suitable) and I hit a big hole and hit something.
Drove off and checked for leaks. It was dark and didn't see anything. What actually happened was radiator completely cracked and all coolant drained within seconds, that's why I didn't see a leak. I should have checked coolant resivior then, but I didn't. Instead I kept driving. Car wasn't equipped with coolant temperature gauge. It had a coolant temp warning light, but this would come on only if coolant was too hot. And as there was no coolant left, light didn't come on.
After 20km on incline, engine started loosing power, and eventually died. It was a very costly lesson for me then but at least I learned something.

Few weeks ago, I was driving on Christmas eve, and at around 100km/h I hit a dog. Completely unavoidable as dog literally run in front of me leaving me no time for any reaction. I didn't even take my foot of the accelerator. Even though it was 2am and minus 10 degrees, I stopped and looked out clearly on the car. Something leaked and I initially thought it was coolant so I thought that journey is over, but upon further inspection I discovered it was A/C condenser which cracked, and all my refrigetant leaked. Coolant looked allright so I kept driving, but I kept stopping every 10km (even though I was 150km from home) and kept checking it. That way I made it home no problem without causing any further damage.
But when checking coolant every 10km, I was all the time thinking about this incident from 15 years ago, when I wrecked the engine in my fathers car.

wandererz

People,

Sometimes, when you're in a desperate situation, you 'cross your fingers' and hope for the best.
In this case, given the time of day, the time of year and probably several other factors, the OP probably hoped he could make it home.

Not everyone is mechanically savvy. Sometimes, even if one is, one takes a small chance.

Sometimes it pans out, sometimes it doesn't.

Some weeks ago one of our cars broke down. I called the insurance breakdown service. The phone rang and rang and rang..... No answer. Time and time again. It was a Sunday as well.

I decided to drive it down the road in first & second gear at high revs in order to get it someplace safe. That was my own decision and risk. It was a chance, it worked out. Sometimes it doesn't.

No need to berate the OP.

Anyhow, driving he vehicle for sustained periods with little or no coolant and at high temperatures will or should cause major engine damage. So the mechanic is probably correct.

beauf

danazzy wrote: »

...He is asking for a lot of money to replace the engine and the radiator, but before I go about putting a new engine, if ye could help me out to process my thoughts, I'd be really appreciative.

Get two or three quotes.

I along with most people doubt that its worth fixing an 11 yr old car if its that badly damaged.

delly

OP, just to give you an idea of your problem in some simple terms, as it sounds like you don't really understand how your engine could be gone when you were driving it and it then died. By saying you think all it needs is sparks gives me this impression.

Engines run extremely hot and in order to keep them cool while you are driving, your coolant is pumped around the engine to absorb the heat. The hot coolant then goes into the radiator to cool again and the cycle continues. By cracking your radiator, the coolant leaked out and eventually ran dry. The steam you saw was the last traces of it I would imagine.

As a result of engine overheating, your car eventually stopped, but not before major structural damage to the engine and the tonne of components that are housed within the engine block. You likely have broken, warped and cracked parts of the engine making it effectively worthless. Visually it is hard to see the damage, but if you drove as you say you did, then it is most likely the case.

Any damage you can see to your electronics and wiring etc. is just more on top of the engine, but it sounds like you have some very expensive repairs which may make the car non viable to put back on the road.

Desolation Of Smug

More sparks appears to be the answer. Burn it - ought to be grand. I.E, OP is about as serious as me. 140kph and someone threw a bottle? Sounds legit.

ironclaw

Desolation Of Smug wrote: »

More sparks appears to be the answer. Burn it - ought to be grand. I.E, OP is about as serious as me. 140kph and someone threw a bottle? Sounds legit.

I was hit by the head of a snow shovel on the M50 in September. It happens.

Cee-Jay-Cee

danazzy wrote: »

I took it to a garage, he said the engine is gone, but I don't believe him. I think the sparks aren't getting enough power for the engine to start. The heat might have damaged the electronics.

He is asking for a lot of money to replace the engine and the radiator, but before I go about putting a new engine, if ye could help me out to process my thoughts, I'd be really appreciative.

I don't understand this mentality. You have absolutely no mechanical knowledge or sympathy. You didn't even stop to see what damage had been done to your car after being hit by an object at high speed but when you bring the car to a professional who tells you the engine is destroyed and you need a replacement, all of a sudden your an expert and have come up with some ridiculous theory that the spark isn't strong enough because of damaged electrics.

You destroyed your car by pure ignorance and while the person throwing the bottle is partly to blame you are more at fault.

You effectively seized your engine by allowing it to overheat and driving it for 56km without water/coolant. You need a new engine, radiator and grill and possibly electrics.

Report the incident to Gardai and claim on your insurance.