car at the shop
 

I knew my head gasket was blown...

I was driving home from work when i notice white smoke billowing from under my hood. I look at the temp guage, and it had the red area pegged. i coasted the rest of the way home with the hood popped. i let it cool down and then go to start her up. it turns over but no igniting. I only get it started up again from rolling it out of my driveway and bump starting it going down the hill. i didnt give it a chance to over heat, just around the block. it was billowing white smoke the whole way. not out the hood this time, but from the tail pipe. My diagnosis is head gasket, and thermostat or water pump. any other 2nd hand opinions?

the guy at the shop confirmed my headgasket theory, but he's trying to tell me, "it could be anything... you'd be better off getting a new engine... i can hook you up for $2500..." that was his estimate for a replacement block. its a good thing im not stupid. any help accepted.

Re:car at the shop
 

head gasket, thermistadt, fan switch.

Re:car at the shop
 

Compression test but smoke and overheating is almost always a blown headgasket.

Re:car at the shop
 

is white smoke coolant or oil?

Re:car at the shop
 

oh yeah, and the radiator fan comes on. but it shuts off when the engine turns off. is that indicative of the switch? i mean it comes on, but dont they usually stay on after the car turns off?

Re:car at the shop
 

mine turns off when i turn the car off..

coolant = white smoke.

it will have a distinctive smell (sweet smell)

oil = blue

Re:car at the shop
 

thanks onyx, chris, and nigglet

Re:car at the shop
 

Did you check your oil. If you drove for a while on the headgasket blown it should have a milky white look from water mixing with oil. May i ask what motor you have. If d series just get a low mileage JDM motor for like 400 bucks.