96' Blazer Overheating

My 1996 Chevrolet Blazer recently overheated. The coolent was low and this was the issue. I put more coolent in and that seemed to fix it. I checked and there isn't any leaks. At first the motor sputtered when I pulled off the road and immediately shut it off. The truck had some issues starting back up at first but it eventually stayed started and i drove it back home. After setting for a few days the truck sputters going out of first (it is a manual) and is fine after that. The power of the truck has dropped because once I come out of first it hesitates and feels like there is a loss in power. It also idles rough. It does run and has not shut off on me. I plan on replacing the thermostat but that would not explain why it is running rough. I am not sure if i damaged my motor. I don't see how because of something bad would have happened it wouldn't have waited a few days. Any suggestions to why? Thanks.

No doubt you have a coolant leak someplace, as the radiator is a closed system and for it to be low on coolant it had to leak out somewhere. Check and see if there is any evidence of coolant (water) on the engine oil dipstick.

It sounds like you may have coolant leaking into the cylinders or into the lower intake when it sits for a period of time, thus when started up it has to blow the coolant out before it will run right.

If the heat gauge pegged out when it got hot, it could have warped a head.

I definently know i blew a head gasket. I checked the oil and noticed that is had water in it. The motor oil is filled to the top. I think the reason why the coolent i put in after the fact did not get into the oil is because its already full. I plan on draining the oil and replacing the head gasket. I drove the SUV about 12 miles to school with the bad oil in it and a blown head gasket. I just hope that I did not do more extensive damage to the truck. It still is running and idling rough, the motor hasn't seized up. I just hope it doesn't burn oil because i fried something. Thanks.

I definently know i blew a head gasket. I checked the oil and noticed that is had water in it. The motor oil is filled to the top. I think the reason why the coolent i put in after the fact did not get into the oil is because its already full. I plan on draining the oil and replacing the head gasket. I drove the SUV about 12 miles to school with the bad oil in it and a blown head gasket. I just hope that I did not do more extensive damage to the truck. It still is running and idling rough, the motor hasn't seized up. I just hope it doesn't burn oil because i fried something. Thanks.

Water in the oil is no sure sign of a head gasket.
Proper testing first.
You may just have a blown intake gasket.
One concern would be how hot did it get?
What engine and what mileage?
Any coolant getting into the cylinders?
MT

It hit the red mark for a split second and the check guage light came on. I immediately pulled over and shut off the truck. The truck has a 4.3l V6 and has 155000 miles. I am not sure if any coolent went into the cylinders. I drained all the oil out of the truck today and you can definently tell that there is other fluids in it. Thanks for all the help.