What is the possibility of coolant leaking into the fuel and how ?

Asked by Minchka Jun 25, 2015 at 01:33 AM about the 2001 Toyota Camry LE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Our 2001 Toyota Camry was running without any issues before this incident that
happened one evening when I was returning from work from another city 120 miles
from home. After driving for about 60 miles in the freeway suddenly saw steam
escaping from the front hood continuously. I continued to drive 10 miles slowly to
arrive at a city and finally had got it towed to a nearest automotive repair garage. They
changed radiator and thermostat in a day and I drove back another 60 miles home.
After I parked in the front porch the car could not be started again at all. When the key
is turned on to ignition is heard but does not get the car started. So had to tow the car
to the service station where they diagnosed that coolant has been leaking into the fuel
and suggesting to change the engine. It is hard to understand how this could have
happened?

1 Answer

Does not make sense to me either. Usually when a engine over heats ,and, you continue to drive the vehicle, you blow a head gasket. That usually allows coolant to enter the combustion chamber...and...could cause extensive damage to the engine. The fact that this vehicle will not start may or may not be related with the initial issue. Does the engine CRANK but will not start...or....will the engine NOT crank?. Pull the engine dipstick and see if you have a milky appearance on the stick.

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2001 Toyota Camry

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Reelin68
    Reputation
    34,280
  • #2
    Tony Ciccotelli
    Reputation
    19,180
  • #3
    Tony Ciccotelli
    Reputation
    5,530
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Accord
1,467 Great Deals out of 29,270 listings starting at $600
Used Toyota Corolla
1,587 Great Deals out of 24,280 listings starting at $866
Used Honda Civic
1,330 Great Deals out of 28,366 listings starting at $1,499
Used Toyota RAV4
1,905 Great Deals out of 28,754 listings starting at $2,550
Used Toyota Avalon
173 Great Deals out of 1,984 listings starting at $2,299
Used Nissan Altima
1,279 Great Deals out of 37,312 listings starting at $700
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,865 Great Deals out of 30,367 listings starting at $3,500
Used Lexus IS
275 Great Deals out of 5,281 listings starting at $3,995
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,144 Great Deals out of 18,851 listings starting at $3,199
Used Honda CR-V
2,084 Great Deals out of 40,840 listings starting at $1,399
Used Lexus ES
440 Great Deals out of 8,549 listings starting at $1,100
Used Toyota Highlander
1,172 Great Deals out of 17,724 listings starting at $850

Used Cars for Sale

2025 Toyota Camry For Sale
843 listings starting at $29,804
2024 Toyota Camry For Sale
111 Great Deals out of 14,802 listings starting at $22,990
2023 Toyota Camry For Sale
366 Great Deals out of 3,684 listings starting at $18,785
2022 Toyota Camry For Sale
277 Great Deals out of 2,524 listings starting at $15,300
2021 Toyota Camry For Sale
284 Great Deals out of 3,549 listings starting at $14,000

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.