Supra Troubles - Advice Please.

[Macca1980]

Hi all (again),

If anyone has had a worse (car) day than my Saturday please let me know. Bear with me!

Previous questions about Supra answered (cheers Leeky). Car was bought on Sat. Drove fine, journey back fine - really comfy - happy. :D

Driving down the M5 through some roadworks and there was a noise like driving over gravel. I was concerned but nothing seemed wrong so I kept on, parked at home and had lunch. Car semed fine. No lights or warnings. Thought it was probably some spilled gravel etc.

Then went out again. Car now makes rattling noise when driving and has no go. It then conks out as I leave a junction! Got it started (very reluctantly) and crept 200m to a layby to have a look. Cloud of smoke and very sorry looking engine.

Engine fan's cover had slipped and touched the fan. Fan had ripped into it (gravel noise now haunting memory), and pieces of fan had gone everywhere at speed, including into the radiator, causing two big holes. Radiator had therefore been leaking/spraying everywhere and had finally given up when parked (hence steam). On turning the engine back on briefly the temp was horrendous and pool of water/coolant/oil confirmed all was not well. Completed journey using rope and AA van, feeling like a right berk.

Potentially the radiator has gone, knackered the fan and coupling, overheated the engine, blown the gasket (exhaust fumes in coolant a slight pointer) and I b****y hope has not cracked/warped the cylinder head also. In short, :censor: ! What's makes it worse is that this looks like one of those million to one chances that was just sheer bad luck. I think (know) the following needs done

1. New Radiator.

2. New Viscous Coupler and fan.

3. Head Gasket.

Plus....

4. Head skimmed - If warped by overheating. Or....

5. New Head - If old head knackered.

Once again, can anyone give rough ideas/costs/advice reference these points, esp. gasket and cylinder head. Also if anyone knows a good turbo recon company I might as get all the potential big bills info in one, while i'm on a roll!

Cheers,

Mac.

[Ahhhh__Aristo]

My biggest concern, from reading that, is how far was it towed??

Auto's shouldn't be towed, unless for a very short distance and under 30mph, unless the prop shaft has been removed.

The nearest garage that is well trusted, is probably www.mkivstore.com give the guy a ring, he is well respected on the MKIV forum, and is now offering free collection and delivery anywhere in the UK for major work.

I believe they ar based in Bristol.

Are your turbos shot??? to get the stock tubbies refurb, is as expensive to buy hybrid/budget single turbo kit, but obviously more bits are needed to cope with the power.

[Macca1980]

Hi Aristo,

It was towed for approx 1 mile with gearbox in neutral and ignition on (engine off). Speed was quite slow - 20-30 mph.

Turbos aren't shot, I just though that as I was asking questions about every other mechanical problem I might as well chuck the whole lot in there for future reference!

Cheers for the contact - I'll give him a ring on Monday once I know what's wrong for sure.

Mac.

[Leeky]

'kin ell mate, thats shocking luck

[Macca1980]

Cheers mate - I'm sure there's a few more with horror stories also!

Almost don't want to leave the house tomorrow - just in case Celica pops also.

Will call various peeps ref quotes ASAP Monday. I'll try and post updates as and when I get news. If anyone has any more advice it'd be appreciated. I'll check in when I can as I work away from home during the week.

Mac

[Karma Supra]

!Removed! hell.. soorry to rear that!!!!!

Thats what I hate about cars... tis always the little silly thing that wrecks an engine....

The reason my car died totally can all be traced back toa boost hose popping off

[Macca1980]

Quick update -

Rad, thermostat, fan and coupler - 870

Head gasket with pressure test and skim - 700. Head will be tested once rad is in place and engine can be run up.

Could be worse. Lucky to have good trustworthy garage nearby. The fact the guy has a Celica and a Supra helps also :)

Ref gearbox - garage said the same as Aristo, so I spoke to Mr T - same detail too. I was advised to get it inspected by a specialist and bill the AA if there's any damage, so I'll do that once it's on the road. AA so far have been sympathetic. Issued ref no and seem willing to abide by the inspection so long as they're sent written proof.

Heard about your epic problems Karma - wanted to refer to it earlier, but couldn't remember when i'd read it. hope it all went well in the end.

Mac

PS - friend at work asked why I just don't scrap the Supra?!? - don't think he feels quite like

I do about his cars!

[Ahhhh__Aristo]

Can you explain those prices a bit more??, are they inclusive of labour??

I really wouldn't worry about the gearbox, at this moment in time, as you say it was less than a mile and under 30mph

[Macca1980]

Ummm.. straining brain to remember now. These are rough estimates...

Rad - 270

Viscous Coupler - 170

Fan itself - 100

Mr 'T' Red Coolant - 30

All these are less Value Added Torture. The rest is labour. This was a worst case estimate by the guy doing the work, who has worked on my Toyotas for years. Most expenses are required due to the strain put on all the running gear connected to the fan.

Not too concerned about 'box just now. It was actually 4 miles (Autoroute), but if it's found to be damaged later on at least i've got comeback.

Mr 'T' send wrong rad (I'd only told them it was an import about three times !!). Correct one winging over from France now. ETA Monday. Might be abe to overcome pathalogical dislike of the French if it does :P . Once its able to be fired up we'll see about the head.

<Fingers Crossed>

[tbourner]

Fixed?

And the comment about towing the auto - I thought that was what the red button was for?

[Ahhhh__Aristo]

The red button is for moving it out of Park when the engine can't be started.

[Karma Supra]

AAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGGGG the red button of doom!!!!!!!

Actually, its the ejector seat. the O/D button is for when you want to run the car on diesel

[tbourner]

The red button is for moving it out of Park when the engine can't be started.

...... so it can be towed.

?

[Karma Supra]

....onto a flat bed........

[Ahhhh__Aristo]

....onto a flat bed........

lol

...... so it can be towed.

Most auto's can be towed, aslong as the manufactuers guidelines are followed.

If in any doubt, don't, or the other option is to remove the prop shaft.

[Macca1980]

Greetings all,

I explained to my wife the 'ejector button theory' - wasn't impressed! Could have its uses though. Red button does enable it to be towed as Aristo said - but only for a very short distance - i.e. so you aren't causing an obstruction on the motorway.

In other news, it's just gone to a local garage, which has a good rep across the local area. Will know more on Monday/Tuesday post stripdown. Had a chance to get it on a ramp and poke about - all's ok, but exhaust is old and I think a single cat replacement will be on the cards when my overdraft isn't bigger than Thirld World Debt! (Next Millenium I think.)

The Gearbox saga is on hold also. I've either got away with it or not. The mechanic did say it seemed to hesitate when upshifting when tested briefly. Once the engine's good i'll get it inspected and find out for sure. Mr T recommends NOT to tow at all and this is echoed by all other Jap main dealers i've spoken to.

Turbo problem is now solved though. :D One of the vacuum hoses had slipped off hence the turbo wasn't kicking in. Several other hoses are quite brittle and aged so they're all getting replaced now.

No other problems have come to light yet, so roll on Monday.

Mac.

[Lucifer-MKivStore.com]

Were here to help i fyou need us.

www.mkivstore.com

[mad welshman]

Were here to help i fyou need us.

www.mkivstore.com

id highly recommend martyn. top bloke.

ive just had work done by him on my supra. very good service.

if u have a problem....give him a buzz.

baz