96 lumina radiator problem

[gr82bfree]

I don't know much about cars, so I apologize if this is vague, but hopefully you call all help me narrow down what's wrong with my 96 chevy lumina.
Check coolant and service engine soon light are lit. It was leaking/sort of sizzling underneath throttle body by the thermostat housing. There is some sort of pressure leak, maybe a gasket on the thermostat or on the intake manifold. Runs too smooth to be a head gasket issue. (?words of my father in law) The coolant resevoir is full, but the radiator was dry the other day. I've put water and anti-freeze in it (cold climate). This morning it started to overheat, so i pulled over (white steam coming out of the engine, temperature gauge climbing), so i pulled over, and after it cooled some, i started to put some water in the radiator, and quickly stopped because the water was coming out of the bottom of the engine (onto the ground) almost as fast as i was pouring it in. (it was coming out about under where the pressure leak was the other day.)

I'm going to have to take it to a mechanic, but it would be helpful to know what direction to point him in, as I don't have a bunch of money to pour into this car.

[richtazz]

Sounds like a intake gasket or heater hose quick connect has gone south. If the sizzling was from the drivers side just under the t-stat housing, then I'd suspect the heater hose quick connect fitting has rotted out and cracked, causing coolant to spray onto the exhaust crossover pipe. Check your oil and see if it's cloudy or milky in appearance. If it is, then you probably have the infamous intake leak that plagues all 95-newer 3.1/3.4's.