Blown head gasket?????

[Zuzbar]

I have a 2004 Toyota Vitz (same as a Yaris) with the 2SZ (1300cc) Engine, On my way to work Monday without warning the engine temp light came on along with the oil light  then the check engine light and a lot of oily smoke out the back end, I managed to shut the engine down and get to the side of the motorway, I was not far from work so got it towed there, At lunchtime I went out and tried the starter, Engine turns over fine, no rattles or bangs or anything but winds over very easily, Like it has no spark plugs, Would that be the sign of a blown head gasket?????

[Mooly]

A gasket failure between two cylinders could lower compression enough to allow it to spin quicker than normal on the starter I suppose but you would still have two of the four cylinders with normal compression. 

A lot of oily smoke doesn't sound good and I would have thought more likely steam from a failed gasket. 

Never overlook the easy stuff. Its worth taking all the plugs out and visually checking them to see if that shows any issue with one or more cylinders. See if one or more 'look different' as that can give a good clue.

Could a plug have failed and lost its seal? although I would expect it to still start and run in that case but only on three cylinders.

No noises when spinning over is good.

Also where is the oil level at?

 

[flash22]

if it just spins over too easily with no compression, it's more than likely snapped the chain (lack of oil or no coolant - seized the engine) that will kill the valves wreck the head and damage the pistons - time for an engine or just scrap it

if a head gasket goes it usually puts out white smoke like a steam train more than likely warping the head and/or the block = swap the engine

pull the plugs and/or pop the cam cover off

 

[Mooly]

This is an interesting one. I hope @Zuzbar can give us an update on how this pans out.

[Red_Corolla]

If it's HG then at least one cylinder should still have compression and you will hear an irregular sound when cranking. If it's just a consistent whine then the chain has gone and the engine is likely NFG.

[MikeSh]

15 hours ago, Zuzbar said:

I managed to shut the engine down

If the chain has broken then surely this wouldn't be the case. It would die instantly.

[Zuzbar]

20 hours ago, Mooly said:

A gasket failure between two cylinders could lower compression enough to allow it to spin quicker than normal on the starter I suppose but you would still have two of the four cylinders with normal compression. 

A lot of oily smoke doesn't sound good and I would have thought more likely steam from a failed gasket. 

Never overlook the easy stuff. Its worth taking all the plugs out and visually checking them to see if that shows any issue with one or more cylinders. See if one or more 'look different' as that can give a good clue.

Could a plug have failed and lost its seal? although I would expect it to still start and run in that case but only on three cylinders.

No noises when spinning over is good.

Also where is the oil level at?

 

Oil is full, nice golden colour still, no water got into it, It's still at work so will pop the oil cap off and see if the valves are still working, will bring it back home on the weekend 

 

[Mooly]

Thanks for the update. I hope this one is repairable. 

[flash22]

"engine temp light came on along with the oil light"

"Oil is full, nice golden colour still"

 

so from that, I doubt it is HG as there is no oil/water contamination - maybe a cracked head

"winds over very easily, Like it has no spark plugs"

4 dead cylinders and no oil pressure

 

overheated - seized - snapped the chain (chain-driven oil pump iirc)

 

well hopefully the OP comes back with the results

 

[wildtapholer]

My guess would be snapped chain, if it's spinning that freely, the OP doesn't mention how many miles the car has covered or how he's looked after it.