1991 Toyota 4Runner Coolant in my oil.

1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
170,000 MILES • 3.0L • V6 • 4WD • MANUAL
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S2K_HAULIN
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Hi. I have a 91 toyota 4runner sr5 v6 5spd .. I went for a long drive and hit a few big bumps in the road. Car started to shake and stutter . Then i noticed the exhaust was blowing out alot of thick white smoke. I checked my oil and it seems brownish dark milky .. And i noticed this clear liquid dripping from different parts of the exhaust. I automatically thought head gasket. I guess my question is.. Is my engine finished or is there hope? Thank you so much!
Nov 25, 2015 at 6:36 PM
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CARADIODOC
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Leaking cylinder head gaskets are common today on any brand of vehicle. That doesn't spell doom for your engine, however, antifreeze in the oil can. That will dissolve the soft first layer of metal on the engine bearings, and that can lead to bearing and crankshaft failure. It is customary to change the oil after replacing a head gasket, but if the vehicle is going to sit for months before the engine is repaired, the oil should be changed first to get the antifreeze out of it.
Nov 25, 2015 at 6:50 PM
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S2K_HAULIN
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So if i replace the gasket and change the oil will that be ok. Also i noticed coolant dripping from different parts of exhaust
Nov 25, 2015 at 7:48 PM
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CARADIODOC
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The cylinder heads must be checked for flatness, checked for cracks, and prepared with the proper surface finish for the new gaskets to bite into and seal.

If you remove the spark plugs, you may find one is wet with coolant. That will definitely point to a head gasket, and will explain why coolant is leaking from the joints in the exhaust system.
Nov 25, 2015 at 10:21 PM
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S2K_HAULIN
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So there's still hope my engine is ok? Im worried about losing the vehicle to this.
Nov 25, 2015 at 10:24 PM