Ok, here is whats happening. When i start my car it warms up kinda quick, and the fan turns on after like 6 - 7 mins, and stays on, and the temp usually goes like almost 3/4 the way up. But if I go to drive the temp goes down(I think its the air coming in and cooling the engine). Also after driving for a lil bit it starts to hesitate. I do have a rear main seal leaking but that isn't going to cause my car to overheat or hesitate. I have already replaced plugs, wires, valve cover gasket, and the thermostat. I have no idea if my head gasket is leaking, but there is oil / sludge on the driver side of the head, all over the tranny. How should I check to see if it is my head gasket? please reply soon, i need help, cuz i am buying a turbo kit in the next week, and i dont want anything screwed up, thanks in advance

I have the exact same problem and it is my head gasket, I hate to tell you that, as for your overheating check your thermostat and make sure it isn't stuck. good luck

All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be crushed completely. If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders, a fire will eventually break out. More is lost through stopping halfway than through total annihilation: The enemy will recover and seek revenge. Crush him,not only in body but in spirit.

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Do a compression test. That should confirm/rule out the HG issue. You might also consider replacing your radiator cap. If the seal isn't perfect, steam will escape and the longer that goes on, the less coolant you will have in the system. Eventually it will overheat all the time. I've seen this happen on several cars including my own. For <$5, it's worth a shot imo.

well, is there a cheap way i can do a compression test myself, and how much is it to get it done at a shop?

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you will need to by a compression tester ($20-$30 at any parts store, and an invaluable tool).

then, go here:

http://www.2gnt.com/www/corbin/comp.html

for future reference, always perform a search before asking questions related to "how tos" and things of that nature. almost everything you could imagine has at least been touched on this site.

:shhh: i do cocaine :/shhh:

Almost everything except why my car cuts off between hard shifts and wont start back with out reseting the computer

ok, i did a compression test today and the results were 180 - 180 - 185 - 175 All of those are within range, so that means my head gasket is good right? Im gonna try buying a new radiator cap, and see if that fixes this problem.

how's your coolant levels? are you loosing any coolant? mine would overheat b/c the tube to my reservoir was kinked. it would allow coolant to overflow in when the engine heated up but once it cooled down it would not allow it to flow back into the radiator.

-marc

my coolant level is fine, but i am gonna try a new radiator cap tomorrow, but if anyone else has any other ideas, please reply.