RAV4 issue

[Tjlhw]

Hi new to this and would just like to ask a question.

Long story short, my x husband looked after our cars.  Well at least I thought so.  My 2010 Toyota RAV4 SX6 started blowing thick white smoke and when I say thick I mean thick.  I took it to a guy in the work shop who rang me and said.  Not good news your car is so over for services and it almost has no oil.  To make it worse the oil is so thick and old I have never seen anything like it.  He went on to say he doesn’t like my chances of the engine ever starting again if he try’s to fix it.  Given I could not leave it how it was he said with me understanding what he has found he will work on it with no promises.  I got it back yesterday.  He dropped the oil and replaced it and done a service on my car.  My car is running fine, blowing no smoke and you would never know it had a problem.  My issue is he told me my engine might just blow any day as a result and told me if it was his car he would sell it tomorrow.  Am I in trouble, will i lose my engine or am I a lucky one and my engine will be ok.  
Thanks in advance to anyone that replies.  

 

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello Sarah - welcome to Toyota Owners Club.

Moved to the Rav4 club where you should get more responses.

[IanML]

Blowing white smoke suggests a coolant leak into the cylinder(s) which suggests a cylinder head gasket leak.  Ask the mechanic if he found it low on coolant, to confirm that.  If he says yes, it is highly likely the gasket will fail at some time.  I would sell.  Do you feel lucky?

[satts67]

Hi, There are other tests that can be carried out by your garage (sniff, compression) that will give you a better idea of the health of the engine. If it has low compression on any of the cylinders or hydrocarbons present in the coolant time to move on. Don't rely on luck if you do long journeys in it.