But if the white smoke (steam) came out the tail pipe it's the head gasket.
Usually a $400 to $800 job to replace.
And the cooling system still has to be fixed with a new radiator fan motor. $175
If the steam was only under the hood, the moisture under the hood would get on the plugs and wires.
This might clear up when the cooling system is fixed.
The fan doesn't work because of a failed fan relay. The steam coming out of the tailpipe is because the head gasket is broken or the head may be warped or cracked. Those things can be replaced. Your money can be replaced too if you have a job. You will spend up to $2000 getting it fixed so it's in good and dependable condition.
Head gasket blown. Best advise? Buy a "crate engine". This is a used engine with 30,000 miles on it from Japan. Do it yourself guys like me love this. You can order one delivered to your door for about $600. Considering all the alternatives, this is clearly the
best way to go for this kind of engine problem. Removing and replacing the engine is actually less work than a head gasket and/or valve job labor project. I know, I've done both many times on many cars. You can get a "short" or "long" block. With the short block (less money), you'll need to transfer all of the external items like the alternator, starter, steering pump, etc. from your old engine to the newer one. The long block comes more complete with these items already installed and included. You might also consider dumping the car cheap to someone like me who is familiar with all this.
The motor is toast. White smoke out the exhaust and fluid boiling inside the cooling system indicates a breach between the combustion chamber and the cooling system. Most likely causes are a blown head gasket, cracked cylinder head, or a cracked block. It's a 97, not worth fixing it.
Most likely head gasket and possibly warped head... Google a diy, save some money and do it right... you'll be fine.
By now? expect the head gaskets to fail.
Welcome to cars 101. Your engine is toast- pass the butter and the jelly.
My car 97 Toyota Corolla doesnt start. So we called a mechanic and replaced the sparkplug. Now the car starts! Then to prevent stalling our mechanic keeps on accelerating it. Later on my car overheats and notice that the radiator fan is not working it produced white smoke and he opened the radiator cap and sees that that the water boils. What will happen to my car's engine? Please help me! Im new to cars.
