2008 Toyota Town & Country 3.8L P0118 Code: Engine Dies with Smoke, Radiator Empty - Diagnosis and Fixes

First step: determine where all the coolant went. The user mentioned smoke under hood—not steam from coolant leaking onto engine. Check oil level—was it normal? Did the vehicle overheat before shutting down? A blown head gasket could cause coolant loss and engine failure. If there are no split radiator hoses, gradual coolant loss is possible—but a completely empty radiator with visible smoke suggests a significant leak or internal issue. Verify that oil isn’t contaminated with coolant. A faulty coolant temperature sensor (CTS) can cause starting problems—try pressing the gas pedal to the floor while attempting to start; if it starts under this condition, it may indicate a CTS-related issue.

A misreading or malfunctioning CTS typically results in extended cranking rather than a complete no-start. If the engine doesn’t crank at all, that points to a more fundamental issue—such as fuel delivery, ignition, or electrical failure—not just sensor errors.

Oil level is normal and there’s no sign of coolant in the oil. After adding antifreeze, I’ve not observed any leakage. I’ll inspect the radiator hoses today. She wasn’t certain if the vehicle overheated—though it likely did, especially with zero coolant. There's no built-in safety feature that prevents starting when the engine is hot; however, some vehicles do have thermal sensors to alert drivers of high temperatures. I don’t know if this model has such a system.

No built-in safety shutdown in older Toyota Town & Country models—only warning lights for overheating. If the engine gets too hot, gauges will indicate it, and a warning light should illuminate. However, without coolant, the engine would likely overheat quickly. Do you have access to a scan tool? It could provide more detailed diagnostics beyond just P0118.

No, I don’t have a scan tool. The P0118 code was triggered by turning the key to 'ACC' three times—this is a known method for some vehicles to initiate diagnostic mode and retrieve stored codes.

Check all radiator hoses for cracks or leaks under pressure. A small crack may not show visible fluid loss but could cause coolant depletion. If possible, use a pressure tester to detect hidden leaks. To rule out a blown head gasket, compression testing is required. If the engine passes these tests, then focus on fuel delivery and spark issues as potential root causes.

Thanks for all the helpful input—I’ll go through these steps today to troubleshoot further.

Update on the 2008 Town & Country: I managed to get it started, but only because the starter was faulty. After starting, I noticed rod knocking and smoke coming from around where the engine and transmission mounts meet. Is this a sign of serious internal damage? Should we consider replacing the engine or just sell the vehicle? We’ve already spent over $700 on AC and power steering repairs, plus an additional $140 on a new starter.

Coolant level remains stable—no signs of leakage. Oil is clean with no contamination. Smoke appears near engine/transmission mounts—not from the engine or transmission itself. Did you hear knocking noises before the breakdown? How many miles does this van have? Is the body and transmission in good condition? A used engine with minimal warranty and high labor costs may not be worth it. Bottom-end knocking at higher RPMs suggests potential internal wear—this would need a full mechanical assessment to confirm severity.

Have you found any definitive answers or further diagnostics?