overheated, now hard to start

[megustaboosta]

today my water pump gave out driving home from work  
temp gauge gave no warning because the engine got so hot it died before the gauge started going up. &nbsp;i &nbsp;open the radiator, bone dry, &nbsp;all leaked out the pump, &nbsp;go to open the oil cap and badly burn my hand on the valve cover, &nbsp;i let the car sit and cool for about 15 min then add water and try to start it, &nbsp;no luck, &nbsp;it would fire every few ratations but thats it. &nbsp;after about 5mins of cranking it started so i drove home(about 1/4 mile). &nbsp;i replaced the water pump, &nbsp;but it is still very hard to start now, &nbsp;it seems to run fine once started, &nbsp;i dont know if it's lacking power because i was scared to get on it, &nbsp; &nbsp;i'm afraid i burned the rings or valves or somethin. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;what do you all think?<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

[ca18guy]

Hmmm. The engine should'nt overheat so bad that the thermostat stops working, the thermostat should work even if the engine's not running (like if you turn the ignition to accessory's). Change the spark plugs cause there burnt to a crisp, and then write back and tell us if it runs alittle smoother. Also after you do that if it seems ok give it alittle test drive, you can't be afraid of it forever, so drive it and see how it feels.

[ca18guy]

Might want to change the oil to !!

[transient]

mmm, talk about thermal breakdown.

[Strider]

i did same thing, not as bad though. Just let it over heat a little to high one night. Anyways, someone told me it was because of my Valve Gasket, it was slowly leaking oil. Don't know if he was BS'ing me though. &nbsp;Dunno if that helps just trying to give input

[megustaboosta]

ok, here's what i know thus far....the car will not start period. &nbsp; there is water in the oil and in the #3 cylinder
i have already begun the process of removing the head to see if i have a cracked block, head, or a blown head gasket (I hope it's the last one). &nbsp;

[megustaboosta]

ok, i finally got the head taken off and the gasket is in horrible shape. &nbsp;no signs of damaged head or block though. &nbsp;the exhaust valves are kinda white, burned??, &nbsp;would it be a good idea to replace them, they look fine other than discoloration. &nbsp;what do you think??

[vancouvers14]

I would definitely check the thermostat, cause when they blow, they close. &nbsp;That couldve caused your head gasket to blow.

[S13Grl]

Sorry to correct you, vancouver, but I had a broken thermostat that stayed open and gave too much water to my engine, so I don't think that was the problem. If his water pump broke, that means the engine wasn't getting any water. I would assume that the lack of water is what caused the white residue on the exhuast valves and other damage that he had found? I don't know... just my $.02.

[Archangel]

can't offer any advice, just some sympathy.
I had a hose rupture in my old car. &nbsp;My car overheated, and i had antifreeze evaporating off of my engine with alot of smoke. &nbsp;It was a baaad day.

[IceTekGuy]

Same thing happend to my car with the KA24E in it, i was driving in new jerzy to drop off my mom at the airport and the thing over heated, cooled it down , added water and antifreeze, then about 30 mins later *POW!!* the headgasket blew and it all leaked out to shit, and then we put the thing back together after a weeks worth of time, and still leaked in everywhere, and only runs on 3 cyl, so thats why i picked up the SR motor, but anyway, watch out so you dont toast you headgasket.... have it checked out :o

(Edited by IceTekGuy at 10:47 am on Oct. 10, 2001)

[megustaboosta]

i'm getting my gaskets in tomarrow, so hopefully after i put it back together, it will run fine again. &nbsp;if it turns out the is somethign major that i missed, i'm gonna be lookin for a SR.....