blown motor or head gasket?

1994 GEO PRIZM
130,000 MILES
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ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
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i have a 1994 geo prizm automatic. it blows out white smoke from the tail pipe, has overheated about three times (only drove it about twelve times since i got it) it has shut off twice from being hot, has 130,000 miles on it & blows through cooliant. also has a loud tick. my brother says its a blown motor but my boyfriend says its a blown head gasket. what do you think? please help me know what to do.
thank you angie
Jul 10, 2012 at 8:08 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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So you know for sure its coolant coming out of the tail pipe?
Jul 10, 2012 at 8:18 PM
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ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
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No im not sure. It only happens if im going fast, like from slow to fast. suh as going onto the highway but when im on the highway it stops.
Jul 10, 2012 at 8:22 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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You can rent a chemical block tester from auto zone to see if there are exhaust gases in the coolant.
Jul 10, 2012 at 9:16 PM
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ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
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i dont know if this helps but my brothers said its not a tock its a knock & i do have a small exaust leak.
Jul 10, 2012 at 9:19 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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So is it using coolant or leaking coolant?Also is the knocking coming from the top end or bottom end?
Jul 10, 2012 at 9:25 PM
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ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
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it is using cooliant, ive put almost two full bottles of cooliant so far. & my brother said bottom of the engine but he is also 100% sure its my engine is junk, so it may not be acurate. it is very loud though.
Jul 10, 2012 at 9:30 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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If its burning coolant that is washing your rings and cylinder walls out.Also means you have a blown head gasket crqcked head etc.If the knock is in the lower end then thats a connecting rod and could damage the crank.So sounds like your brother right.
Jul 11, 2012 at 1:00 AM
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ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
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thank you for clearing that up!
Jul 11, 2012 at 1:01 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome anytime.
Jul 11, 2012 at 1:09 AM