I have a 92 Camry that overheated this morning while driving on the X-way. We didn't know it until I saw out of the corner of my eye that the check engine light came on and then I saw that the temp gauge was pegged at H. I started to pull over and turned on the heater. It didn't put out hot air so I'm figuring it was a thermostat problem. It died as I pulled over and was smoking badly. Now it won't start. It's getting fire but is leaking water from behind the thermosat housing. It might be the housing or a freeze out plug behind it. It turns over but sounds almost like the timing belt could have gone out. Would it still get fire if it is out. Sorry for the long post, Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

If you are getting ignition spark, then you have a solid timing belt. You probably have some serious problems with the cooling system and gaskets. Replace the thermostat, making sure you have enough coolant, and go from there. Watch the exhaust and engine block/heads for leaks.

The rotor button is turning and is in time with the #1 cylinder. Compression seems to be good. It acts like it wants to start but it just won't. A bad water pump won't keep it from starting will it?

The rotor button is turning and is in time with the #1 cylinder. Compression seems to be good. It acts like it wants to start but it just won't. A bad water pump won't keep it from starting will it?

Did you actually measure the compression? No, it won't.

I didn't actually measure the compression because I don't have access to a gauge right now. Just by going by past experiences with engines from cars and bikes, it seems like the compession is ok. I could be wrong, but if I'm pressing firmly over the hole, and it blows it off with good force, it should be ok. I didn't think the water pump would keep it from starting. Thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate it.

I would really check the compression and see if you have a bad cylinder. Replace the thermostat. Flush the cooling system. If it still doesn't start, see if you have any stored codes in the ECM.