95 Previa empty coolant

nsa0bupkd3948x

We have a 95 Previa which today while driving on the motorway the temp gauge was flickering around 3/4 high but never entered the red. When we came to a stop, steam came out of the engine bay/under the car. There was a little fluid leaking from under the car. After checking the coolant the tank was bone dry.

What is this likely to be? Headgasket?

colm_mcm

These are known for a delicate cooling system.

nsa0bupkd3948x

colm_mcm wrote: »

These are known for a delicate cooling system.

Would you know roughly how much we are talking to fix it?

CJhaughey

Toyota gauges don't move unless they are really hot, they have a stabilised temp needle that doesn't fluctuate under normal driving conditions.
When yours went to 3/4 it must have been very hot.
Let it cool and refill the cooling system and see if it loses coolant again.
Check radiator, hoses etc it might be something simple.

It may have been as simple as a leaking water pump but high speed and no coolant can quickly destroy an engine.

biko

Unlikely to be headgasket. I'd say a burst pipe, which is not uncommon on old cars as pipes become brittle over the years.
A mechanic can pressurise the system and find what pipe it is and swap it.

nsa0bupkd3948x

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm not sure if its relevant but for the last 3-4 years we've had to have the interior heat on full whack otherwise the engine would overheat. Not sure if that would give any more hints as to whats causing it.

selectamatic

Serenity Orange Scab wrote: »

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm not sure if its relevant but for the last 3-4 years we've had to have the interior heat on full whack otherwise the engine would overheat. Not sure if that would give any more hints as to whats causing it.

When was the water pump last changed?

Special Circumstances

Serenity Orange Scab wrote: »

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm not sure if its relevant but for the last 3-4 years we've had to have the interior heat on full whack otherwise the engine would overheat. Not sure if that would give any more hints as to whats causing it.

Face palm.

3 or 4 years? Did it darken the door of any proper garage in that time?

biko

Serenity Orange Scab wrote: »

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm not sure if its relevant but for the last 3-4 years we've had to have the interior heat on full whack otherwise the engine would overheat. Not sure if that would give any more hints as to whats causing it.

It does tell us the cooling system is probably toast, and have been for a long time.
Take the car to a mechanic pronto.

Mechanic will diagnose issue and then give you a quote, until then it's just a guess what it will cost.

nsa0bupkd3948x

Yes it was checked out by two mechanics and neither could get to the bottom of the over heating.

Would anyone know a mechanic that specialises in Toyotas that might be able to get to trouble shoot it in the North Wexford/Wicklow/South Dublin area. Would be a pity to have to scrap the car its never let us down .

selectamatic

Serenity Orange Scab wrote: »

Yes it was checked out by two mechanics and neither could get to the bottom of the over heating.

Would anyone know a mechanic that specialises in Toyotas that might be able to get to trouble shoot it in the North Wexford/Wicklow/South Dublin area. Would be a pity to have to scrap the car its never let us down .

You won't need a specialist any good mechanic should be able to sort it.
When was the waterpump last changed? These aren't run off the timing belt they're run off the aulillary belt and so tend not to be changed at all if its bad it'll be leaking a drop and causing poor coolant circulation.
Also use of water in the coolant system may have cause corrosion so the rad could be sub par.

As long as the head is ok then all is not lost. Is this a 2.2 diesel or 2.4 petrol previa and what year is is?
If its the noughties model then its a different ball game as they have a timing chain.

nsa0bupkd3948x

Well two mechanics which I trust and have troubleshooted plenty of issues on my other cars couldn't get to the bottom of it so I thought if someone who has more experience with the car might be better.

Its a 2.4 Petrol 1995

selectamatic

Right you could be in luck as the 2.4 petrol head tends to be stronger than the 2.2 diesel one and less prone to cracking under excessive heat. Now can you tell me when was the last time the waterpump was changed if its still the original in the car since 1994 I'd bet my house on it that its the root of your problems.

nsa0bupkd3948x

Will go through the service records now.. Theres quite a lot so be back in a few

nsa0bupkd3948x

selectamatic wrote: »

Right you could be in luck as the 2.4 petrol head tends to be stronger than the 2.2 diesel one and less prone to cracking under excessive heat. Now can you tell me when was the last time the waterpump was changed if its still the original in the car since 1994 I'd bet my house on it that its the root of your problems.

Looks like you could be right. My mechanic always changes the water pump when changing the timing belt on my other cars but always notes it on the service record. I can't see anything on the records about the water pump.

The car is parked up down in Wexford, (I live in Dublin) and I'd prefer not to drive it. Would any mechanic be able to sort me out or would the Toyota dealer in Gorey be the best bet for troubleshooting the engine cooling issue?

selectamatic

Serenity Orange Scab wrote: »

Looks like you could be right. My mechanic always changes the water pump when changing the timing belt on my other cars but always notes it on the service record. I can't see anything on the records about the water pump.

The car is parked up down in Wexford, (I live in Dublin) and I'd prefer not to drive it. Would any mechanic be able to sort me out or would the Toyota dealer in Gorey be the best bet for troubleshooting the engine cooling issue?

happens all the time on older cars where the waterpump is on a separate belt to the timing belt. No need for a main dealer any half decent indy mechanic should sort ya.

Firstly get them to check to see if the head gasket is ok no water/mayonnaise in the oil etc. Then a new water pump and auxiliary belt and depending on when they were last done a new thermostat and timing belt could be advisable along with new coolant and perhaps flush the rad. it sounds like a lot of work but its not too bad really and it should transform the car.

If its in good condition it'd be very much worth doing imo.
I've a feeling previa's of that era will be somewhat desirable in years to come when they hit the vintage tax threshold