Running hot

KUNTRYBOI97

MEMBER
2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
177,000 MILES

My car is running hot. I have ran Blue Devil head gasket sealer through it. I have also replaced upper radiator hose coolant outlet and also repaired a hose that was leaking. But it is still losing water when I looked under the car it seems to be coming from the center of the motor. It is also still smoking from the tailpipe and idling rough. I also have to give it some gas to get it to crank and then sometimes it shuts off out when I put it in gear. What problems could I possibly be looking at? Could it be a water pump and just a tune up issue or could it be something more serious?

1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

The smoke is the clue. you may have damaged the head gaskets from overheating. Did you pressure test the system to find the exact source of the leak?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

It could be your water pump leaking but that would not explain the smoking out the tail pipe. It sounds more like a failed head gasket. That sealer product never works and only adds to the issues by clogging the radiator and heater core with sealer adding to the issues. there is no sealer made that can repair or seal a failed head gasket. the correct repair is to replace the head gaskets which is a major repair.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Roy