Coolant and Oil dried in the same time

CHANGFUWEI

MEMBER
2000 TOYOTA CAMRY
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
101,000 MILES

Hi, I have a 2000 Toyota Camry LE (4 cyl). After oil change in Meineke, I found oil leaking (maybe also coolant leaking in the same time). I returned to the shop and asked them to check. They told me it's not caused by oil change. It might be the water pump issue. But they couldn't check it without opening the cover. They suggested me to change timing belt (it's already 101,000 miles) and check leaks at that time. I was told the leaking was not serious. It's okay to drive the car. However, two days later, I drove the car to another town (30 miles away). When I return home, off sudden, the engine stopped working where I was just half miles away from home. I checked the engine oil. Its level was very very low. I also found the coolant also leaked to almost dry ( I added the coolant to full before I drove out). Please help me to figure out what's wrong.
Thanks,
Changfu

6 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

There are 2 separate problems here, you will have to get the cooling system pressure tested to check fore the coolant leak, any coolant leaking from behind the timing cover will be a water pump, it so get this done and the timing belt, are there any external oil leaks, and do you see smoke on start up and is the engine fuming? If you remove the oil filler with the engine running does it fume and expel a fair amount of pressure?

Mark (mhpautos)

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Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 1:36 AM

CHANGFUWEI

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4 POSTS

Hi Mark, thank you for youe answer. I might didn't clearly described the problem. Both coolant and oil leaked out (external leaks). I don't know if the coolant leaked behind the timing cover. The engine can't start now. I did see smoke on start up before. Can the coolant and oil leak from same place like a losing plug?

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Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 5:39 AM

MHPAUTOS

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No, not from the same place, as both systems are totally independent of each other, does th engine still crank over on the key?

Mark (mhpautos)

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Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 8:35 AM

CHANGFUWEI

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4 POSTS

Yes, the engine still crank over the key. But the indicators such as check engine and low oil pressure are on. Should I buy some oil and coolant to refill and try to start engine? What are the possible causes in your opinion? What are your advices for me to do? Thanks.

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Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 6:03 PM

CHANGFUWEI

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Hi Mark, I must make a correction. I just double checked the oil level. It's actually still full. I couldn't see it clearly in the night. Therefore, the problems now are that the coolant leaked to empty and the engine stopped running on the road. I tried to start engine this morning again. It still crank but couldn't start running. The warning lights of Low Oil Pressure, Battery, and Malfunction indicators are on. Is there any connection between the low oil pressure and the coolant leaking? Why the engine stopped suddenly on the road during driving?