well i have a 1996 camaro 3.8L and i was driving it one day and it was over heating and my car just stoped and smoke was coming out. car isnt starting and but turns on. i was told that the head gaskets were blown and i needed a new radiator but i want to know if anyone else has had this problem and could give me any sugestion for me to start working on it.THANK YOU!!!!

 

do a compression test. check to see if there is antifreeze in the oil.

 

yes compression test is allways the first thing to do and aswell do a leak down test.But id say you blew a head gasket check and see if theres any milkyness in your oil vise versa any oil in your collant.Hope this helps GL!!

 

If an engine is overheating, it's always better to shut it down right away. The engine stopping itself could be a bad sign of possible serious damage, more than just a blown gasket at this point.
"car isnt starting and but turns on"? Does that mean the engine still turns over? If that's the case, you might be ok, other than it still sounds like you blew a gasket.

 

ya it will try to start but it doesnt start at all it will bring on all the lights and everything but it wont turn over and yes there is oil in my coolant. so is it the headgaskets?