Help! Possibly heads or gasket?

[Punzak9]

I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I was driving back from school the other day on the interstate and all the sudden every time it pushed the accelerator there was a knocking sound. As I was looking for somewhere to pull over, it got worse and eventually I lost all ability to accelerate.

I pulled over and popped the hood, there was smoke coming off the engine and what I'm guessing was engine coolant all over the battery and that side of the engine bay.. I don't know too much but from what I heard I think my car over heated, ran dry and may now have a bad head gasket or possibly warped head?

Does that sound right? Also, what are my options??? Is it easiest to try to replace the heads, find a new engine to put in or what? Thanks for any help.

[3.4grapeofwrath]

Re: Help! Possibly heads or gasket?

Sounds like a rod knocking. Check your oil level and check the oil for any discoloration.
If it looks like a milky color it could be a bad head gasket or worse. Also check the coolant level and condition. Start the engine and listen for engine knock if still present engine replacement or rebuild is necessary.

[ssms5411]

Re: Help! Possibly heads or gasket?

I would check your heaater hoses to see if there still intact, mybe one cracked or came loose. What was the temp gauge reading when you pulled over? What year F-body is it? Most PCM's will cut the car off at a certain temp to save the engine from over heating. I would listen to 3.4grapeofwrath on the rest.

[Lemons Racer]

Re: Help! Possibly heads or gasket?

I blew head gaskets and probably multiple other engine components as a result of over heating. Currently I am in the process of a motor swap. We tried instahead, which is basically liquid copper but it was too far gone. However, this may work for you. I decided to do a swap rather than a rebuild just because motors/donor cars can be found cheaply and you don't really know what's wrong with your motor. It would suck to replace the head gasket, rods, whatever get it put back together only to discover you missed something. BTW, we bought our running firebird 3.8L for $300. Great donor price. Then part off the rest and sell to the yard for scrap and you'll break even.

[Lemons Racer]

Re: Help! Possibly heads or gasket?

Sounds like a rod knocking. Check your oil level and check the oil for any discoloration.
If it looks like a milky color it could be a bad head gasket or worse. Also check the coolant level and condition. Start the engine and listen for engine knock if still present engine replacement or rebuild is necessary.

Oh, check this first :tup:

[nascar24jd]

Clean up the mess. Top off all fluids. If it still runs, start it up and begin troubleshooting.
If it does not run, time for a rebuild.

[PalmHarborBlkv6]

Re: Help! Possibly heads or gasket?

This exact thing happened to me....engine threw a rod....had to replace the engine... NEW engine came from a junk yard....it has low oil pressure and eats gas like crazy. You just can't win. I would like to replace the engine with one of the newer Camaro's but I am not sure I could find someone to successfully do it.

[mdenz3]

Re: Help! Possibly heads or gasket?

You killed it.

What year car is it?