How do I know what's wrong with my car?

JESSHANLAN

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
155,000 MILES

I was driving my car and it was fine. I got home and parked it, about an hour after it was parked it started leaking antifreeze. I left it sit and I checked the oil and the antifreeze overflow tank. The overflow needed antifreeze so I put the recommended amount in it. I started it and drove it approximately two miles and my temperature gauge went up to the red and smoke started coming through my vents of my car. I parked it and shut if off, I looked under the hood and there is oil around my spark plugs but no where else. Could this be my head gasket or valve pan gasket?

Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 6:15 PM

1 Reply

PROMECHANIC

MECHANIC
536 POSTS

You could have a head gasket problem. The firs thing that you need to do though is put more coolant in like you did, then start the engine for a minute or so, then turn it off and add coolant again. Then let it get warm, then turn it off and let it cool off. Check the coolant and add if needed. Do this until it won't take anymore.
After you do this see if it still overheats. If so then I would start suspecting maybe a head gasket leak.
As far as the oil around the spark plugs. That probable is a separate issue and I don't think it has anything to do with the overheating.

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Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 9:38 PM