99 Lumina Overheating

[mlh01]

Ok, I am really frustrated. I have a coolant leak somewhere. I think. I have coolant in the reservoir and I add coolant to the radiator. The temperature hand would rise if I was at a stop sign or a light. But when I accelerate the temperature hand would go down. Now it just continuosly rise all the way up. It doesn't matter if the car is moving or not. Oh, and now its starting to smoke. Have I blown something?? What would be the first thing I need to have checked? I just don't want to take my car somewhere and not have an idea of what to expect.
Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it!!

[richtazz]

Look at the oil filler cap and see if there is a pudding like gunk inside it, as this would indicate an intake leak or blown head gasket. Since the engine started smoking, you over-heated it and probably need head gaskets.

[mlh01]

I will take a look at it. Thanks for the help.

[jeffcoslacker]

I think richtazz is probably right, especially if the smoke you mentioned is from the exhaust. If not, and you see no evidence of oil contamination, let it cool down and refill the radiator with the bleeder screws open, then see what happens. You may have trapped a bunch of air in it when you refilled it if you didn't bleed it.

[meuhus]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

I think richtazz is probably right, especially if the smoke you mentioned is from the exhaust. If not, and you see no evidence of oil contamination, let it cool down and refill the radiator with the bleeder screws open, then see what happens. You may have trapped a bunch of air in it when you refilled it if you didn't bleed it.

could have a locked up thermostat
causing it to over heat

that is were i would look first

[mlh01]

well I ended up taking my car in for a pressure test and it is the intake manifest gasket. It will cost me 350.00 to get a fixed. I can't complain because I haven't had to fix anything major on my car. Thanks for the info provided.