pendrag

My wife took my 1999 2wd 4runner to a work training day this afternoon and then called me afterwards from the grocery store, saying the truck had smoked a little when she stopped and now it wouldn't crank. It has had a small oil leak causing smoke (so I wasn't concerned) and I figured it was just a light left on and she needed a jump; but when I got there, I turned the key and it started up fine. I started to drive home in the problem car and let her take the good one. Three blocks down the road, I glanced at the dash and the engine temp was above the red line. I immediately pulled off and cut the engine. The 4runner was running smoothly to this point

On opening the hood, I got some whitish smoke, but not billlowing clouds (so I think it was empty before I left the grocery store). The radiator was barely warm and the hoses were soft and empty. The coolant reservoir was empty. I just topped everything off a month back, when the coolant was showing a tad low. The radiator, cap, and both ends of the rad hoses were seemingly dry and intact. There appeared to be a leak back near the lower drivers side firewall, but it was dark and hard to see. I didn't notice water in the floorboards, but I didn't think to check and my wife neexed to get home quick to feed the baby.

I ended up leaving the 4runner in a parking lot tonight and will go back tomorrow. My plan is to fill it up and start he engine. If the coolant is gushing, I will tow it home. If it is a pin hole leak, I thought I would try and limp the 20 miles home with stops to cool and refill if necessary. I am hoping that the engine running smoothly suggests the head gasket is ok and maybe it was a heater hose, but I would welcome any thoughts before I go out there tomorrow am.

This has really been a crappy day.