So I was driving down the freeway and my temp gauge spiked to hot. I started hearing a ticking sound. Lights dimmed and engine died. Looked at radiator and added coolant and water. Overflow looks sludgy. When I start it up it idles rough. When I rev it it smooths out. What happened and how would I fix it?

 

Oh, the oil looks good and doesn't smell like gas. The trans fluid looks good and also doesn't smell. There is also a small amount of water coming out of the tailpipe but I don't see any water leaking anywhere else.

 

No oil milkshake from water (coolant) getting in it? What kind of coolant do you use?

 

I just bought it recently so I don't have a particular brand of coolant. I put peak in it because that's what the gas station had

 

I bet you made chocolate milk.. plan on a new motor.

 

Look at the oil.

 

Water out the tailpipe isn't a good sign but not the worst either. My guess would be a blown head gasket or cracked head. So bottom line you may not get water into the oil.

 

Depends on how much water is coming out?Is it coming out like water down gasoline or is alot of water.Does a large amount of white or blue smoke come out the exaust?If so you blew a head or intake gasket.

 

So i took it into the shop and the mechanic replaced the thermostat. The heater worked for a while. Now it's still blowing cold air and the temp gauge is hovering at about 220-230. He said I had only about 30% compression on the 4th and 6th cylinders. Possible break in the head gasket or a bent valve. He doesn't do this kind of work and referee me to someone else. They quoted me a price of between 800-1000. Is this a fair price or should I look elsewhere? Thanks for all the advise so far it's been most helpful.

 

Actually water coming out of the tail pipe is normal..
if its a bi-product of coolant or coolant, then its not a good thing,
but just water coming out, is not bad, its happened on all my cars.