Overheated"HOT",Waterpump wont spin, White cream on the oil cap, WHAT HAPPENED?

[TristansLumina]

My 1998 Lumina LS overheated last yesterday, the gauge went from cold to hot and then back down again several times. I later looked under the hood after i pulled it off the road and there was a WHITE CREAM ON TEH OIL CAP, looked as if coolant was mixed into the oil, The WaterPump wont turn as then as i started the car. The Coolant in the resivour rose and became dark in color. I have no clue what happened and I havent moved my car since, any one have any suggestions and advice????

[maxwedge]

Don't run it any more, sounds like the intake gasket or head gasket ( less likely) failed, common on these engines, get it to a shop asap

[TristansLumina]

Thanks.....ill do asap.

[corning_d3]

I'm going to guess and say it's a head gasket..

[LSsix]

I agree with the others, water or coolant in the oil sounds like a blown head gasket.

I have a 98 Lumina as well that has been over heating. I'll start a new thread though.

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by TristansLumina

My 1998 Lumina LS overheated last yesterday, the gauge went from cold to hot and then back down again several times.
...any one have any suggestions and advice????

Next time it overheats, SHUT IT OFF INSTEAD OF LETTING IT PEG THE GAUGE "SEVERAL TIMES".

[occupant]

the cause of the overheating is definitely from the intake gaskets and the use of Dex-Cool...the vehicle may also have a blown head gasket, and it very well may have a broken camshaft if the water pump won't turn...

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by occupant

the cause of the overheating is definitely from the intake gaskets and the use of Dex-Cool...the vehicle may also have a blown head gasket, and it very well may have a broken camshaft if the water pump won't turn...

How does the cam drive the water pump on this engine?

[richtazz]

All these issues are related. The water pump siezed, causing coolant to stop circulating. You continued to drive the car which overheated it and ended up blowing the head gasket(s). You have learned an expensive lesson, don't keep driving if the temp goes into the "red". The shame of it is the water pump on these cars is the easiest one there is to change. Reomve the serp belt and a total of 9 bolts ( 4 holding the pulley on and 5 that mount the pump itself) and a little gasket scraping and your done in less than an hour. The only difficult part is bleeding the cooling system of air.

[TristansLumina]

Thanks alot, for the information. Now i know the lesson....lol. It should be up n running again soon.