Engine 'explosions'... what causes them?

[andyofne]

Let's put it this way.

It was a 1991 Camry with a shitload of miles on it.

I bought it from my x-wife in 2002/2003 when she moved to Florida after our divorce.

I used it occasionally as a winter car.

My kids have been using it for the last few years.

My x-wife didn't take it to Florida in 2003 because her mechanic reported 'serious transmission problems'.

I ignored that because I'm a cheap bastard.

Anyway, my neighbor does some engine repair and I consulted with him. He's familiar with the car and he told me it wasn't worth what it would cost to get it towed home and then to have an engine put in it.

I had 12 hours to make a decision before the county towed it.

I called a local junkyard and they came out and took it away giving me $150 for it.

Whether or not it could be fixed I don't think I wanted to deal with the hassles of buying a junkyard engine and dealing with the 'what ifs' and figuring out how to do all the work.

I do computery shit, not engine replacements.