1997 3.8L Camaro

[mrbrawner]

I'm thinking of purchasing a 97 camaro 3.8l and making it a project car because i have nothing to do where i am. The owner said the car overheated back in february and has not started it since and is unsure if will start or if the headgasket is blown or if the piston rings are bad. Should i just replace the whole engine or take it apart figure out what went wrong and go from there? And do you think it is the headgasket or maybe just the water pump went out or maybe the thermosat is stuck?

[Southern Comfort]

definitely intake and plenum gaskets have to be change.

[DeltaP]

Well if I had nothing to do I would check it over in a logical progression of diagnostic steps. Dont just start throwing $$ at it. The time is all yours, the parts are $$.

[Tech II]

I agree with the guys....

First thing, check the oil level....does it look milky? Remove the oil plug, and watch what initially comes out....since this has sat for awhile, if any coolant is in the oil, it will have seperated, and be on the bottom of the pan......if you see coolant come out initially, not good.....if oil and white stuff, usually just condensation.....would be a good idea to change the oil and filter, BEFORE cranking it......

First thing I would do is check the coolant level in the radiator.....if low, top off, and do a pressure test....see if it holds, then remove the plugs....check condition of plugs....disable fuel and spark....crank over and watch for coolant coming out of the plug holes......if nothing comes out, then do a compression test....if ok, and the plugs are in good shape, put them back in, and try to start the vehicle(enable fuel and spark).......

For vehicle to overheat, it had to have lost coolant somewhere....if car starts, let it run to normal operating temp......naturally, if it misfires/runs bad, shut down and find the cause....otherwise, let it run to normal operating temp, and then shut down and look for external leaks......then when SAFE, remove the radiator cap and pressure test again......