1999 chey tahoe overheating

[Jeremy79]

On 6/29/12 my tahoe did something it has never done before, it ran hot on me. so first thing i think is that its the thremostat, change it and leave the shop and it continues to run hot so i pull over and let it cool down for about and hour since i'm not even a mile from my house crank the truck back up headed home and as soon as i turn on my street i loose power and the truck makws a loud back fire sound and smoke is everywhere. so here my problem once i get the truck home and look at my dipstick theres no water on it. but here where it gets tricky i put water in the radiator the next day and it ran fine. today i crank it and take it around the block and it runs hot again. so i guess my question is im not sure if i have a blown head gasket or not by i also now have a small oil leak coming from the bottom of my engine that wasnt happening before i ran it hot. some please give me an idea of what it could be!!! thanks jeremy79

 

[the baPhoon]

Not saying this is the problem but I check EVERY t stat I buy in a pot of water with a thermometer before I install.

Countless tstats I've checked would open way past boiling point. My guess would be a head gasket.

Had the same symptoms with my x girlfriends camaro. Never water in the oil but the head gasket was the culprit.

Drop the pan or empty the oil and check that way. I wish ya luck.

 

[the baPhoon]

Also what color smoke and where did the smoke emanate from?

 

[the baPhoon]

This just crossed my mind.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0007ZDRUI

You add the chemical to the funnel and plug the radiator fill neck.

If there is exhaust emissions in the coolant/radiator the liquid changes color indicating a head gasket leak.
35+ shipping is way easier then throwing cash at random parts or a mechanic.

 

[lesterl]

I had issues with my LIM gaskets when my 96 was overheating........

 

[kstro]

Over flow tank....

On 6/29/12 my tahoe did something it has never done before, it ran hot on me. so first thing i think is that its the thremostat, change it and leave the shop and it continues to run hot so i pull over and let it cool down for about and hour since i'm not even a mile from my house crank the truck back up headed home and as soon as i turn on my street i loose power and the truck makws a loud back fire sound and smoke is everywhere. so here my problem once i get the truck home and look at my dipstick theres no water on it. but here where it gets tricky i put water in the radiator the next day and it ran fine. today i crank it and take it around the block and it runs hot again. so i guess my question is im not sure if i have a blown head gasket or not by i also now have a small oil leak coming from the bottom of my engine that wasnt happening before i ran it hot. some please give me an idea of what it could be!!! thanks jeremy79

Hi Jeremy, I am new to the forum but have a little knowledge. I had the same problem a while back and while at the parts store thinking I had a leak in the radiator the clerk told me to go look and see what kind of fluid I had in the overflow tank. We went and looked and the tank was full and had what he said was a mix of green and orange antifreeze. What that does is clumps up because one is silica base and the other is not. I promptly went home and drained the tank got all the crud out did a flush and fill at home and voila runs at a cool 190. He also told me to check that tank first and foremost because he learned the hard way, a blown head gasket.... I hope it wasn't too late for you.