I was driving down the high way and my car started to die on me so i gave it some gas no go....had it towed home and i thought i threw a rod or something because the car wouldnt turn over at all...now the car turns over i actually started it it ran for bout a min or so very very rough idle then i turned around and i couldnt see behind me so much white smoke could a cracked head or blown head gasket cause this? maybe my plugs are fouled to because of me trying to start it so much with no prevail....any help is appreciated i think i found a hole where a freeze plug is suppose to go also but not sure just a hole directly under neath the thermostat housing i can take a picture if need be

1998 bonneville SE

Check your plugs. I suspect a bad LIM gasket. Did the smoke smell sweet? If your coolant level low? Cehck your oil to see if it'* milky or foamy.

um...cant say it was sweet lol maybe but i didnt care to stand in the smoke that long yeah the coolant is low usually is even before i had this problem LIM gasket? Im pretty sure the plugs are fouled but does that have to deal with the white smoke? and is it worth fixing cause today is the most hope that i have gotten for the car hopefully its something easy like head gaskets or something that would be awesome? i think

LIM gasket is much easier. About $100 in gaskets and a few hours of yoru time. There'* a write up in the tech info area.

The hole is simply a hole in the block. It is into the flexplate/torque converter area and should not be plugged. I've never heard of why it is there, it is on all of the Series 2 3.8L'* that I have seen.

I'll put $20 the gaskets look bad, and another $20 that the gaskets are not the main cause of the problem.

Upper intake manifold is the most common problem on the NA motors. Let'* step back a minute from the LIM gaskets and try to diagnose the problem.

Do you see any external coolant leaks?
Do you note any oil leaking externally and getting on the exhaust manifolds?
If you removed the throttle body do you see coolant in the UIM right around the EGR pipe entrance?

If this is the UIM, the suggestion of changing the LIM gaskets stands. I'd be surprised if the gaskets are your main issue though.

No I dont see any coolant leaking anywhere but i have filled it up before checking for leaks dont see any then i check it a couple days later and its low again....no oil leaking onto the exhaust but it does leak at the oil filter no matter what i do...i havent removed the throttle body will check that tomorrow...

After I started the car today and saw the smoke coming out of the exhaust tip i turned it off let it sit and when outside to try again and the motor wont turn over like before so maybe there is a bigger problem here? I just dont have the time to worry about this car to be honest Im leaving for boot camp in two weeks I was just hopin this would be something simple but I dont think it will be

Have you checked your oil to see if it'* milky/foamy?

its not

That'* a plus, that means your not getting coolant in to the lower engine. Do as Bill suggested. Changing the UIM gasket is less hassle then the LIM gasket.

um...which is which there a tech on here to teach me some stuff i dont have a clue bout engines