Engine Failure - Help, What do I do?

[NickCats]

Saxster,

So sorry to hear that ! Unfortunately, it looks like you are not the only one that this has happened to :

http://986forum.com/forums/search.php?searchid=467825

I am suprised, it seems like this was a problem with the 99's, but you have a 01

Can't offer much but my condolences...

Nick

[Brucelee]

When you lose coolant and it isn't coming OUT of the car, it is going IN, into the oil.

This is a very bad thing of course.

I do think you engine is toast. The cheapest route is a used engine, with all the caveats of that route.

Either way, get estimates from several reputable service shops, as the labor rates vary greatly.

Sorry and good luck.

[Brucelee]

For the future, if you get a coolant and CEL light at the same time,

Pull over and park the car. Call the tow truck. This MAY have made a difference but I doubt it.

[2001saxster]

Originally Posted by 2001saxster

Thanks for the info. The only reason I drove it home is because when i had first called the dealer about the flashing coolant light he said as long as it wasn't overheating I was fine. It never did. Of course all I did at that point was drive home. I left it in the garage all weekend and called the dealer first thing on Monday morning and he said again that as long as it wasn't overheating I ws OK to drive it in. I don't think it would have made any difference though. One of the things the dealer mentioned when we spoke yesterday was about of cruddy (for lack of a better word) consistency of what was left in the coolant tank. He said that was a sign of the oil and coolant having been mixed. I had already seen this in the tank the first time I topped it off which was well before the check engine light ever came on.

Thanks, but I doubt it would have made any difference. There was already some gummy mixture (oil) in the coolant tank when I topped it off as per the dealers instructions. I did not realize what it was at the time of course, figured it was dried coolant or something. This was after having driven a sum total of 8 blocks with only the low coolant indiactor flashing. The dealer also told me at that point that as long as the car wasn't overheating (it was not) I was fine. I drove the few miles home with the check engine light on with that advice in mind. Garaged it for the weekend and called the dealer first thing Monday morning. They told me bring it in on Wednesday. I asked if it was OK to drive in and they said Yes, as long as it doesn't start overheating. Just to be safe I didn't drive in between. It drove fine to the dealer then I got the bad news.

[gmboxster]

I've had my check coolant light flash on 2 separate occasions, about 2 weeks apart. I immediately stopped the engine checked the coolant and everything seemed fine. I started the car again and no problems. This happened twice as i said. I don't know what happened but i haven't seen that light flash now for quite awhile.

I know this is different from your situation. I really do feel for you . If this happened to me I dont know what I would do, except cry. I wish i knew why my coolant light flashed those 2 times when everything apparently looks ok. GOOD LUCK to you.