Well crap get a call from my son out of town at school in Nashville. Says the 2002 SSEI is hot and engine making noises....I say DON'T drive it hot and to park it and have it towed. He drove it a couple miles to school hot....SOB...I'm afraid it is cooked and I'm hundreds of miles away fresh out of rotator cuff and torn bisep surgery....Waaa...I bought this car new and have done tons of maintenance on it and was like a new ride...I know it'* a long shot but a big shout out to members in Nashville area that can direct me to a good shop to diagnose the damage.....HELP!

Can't help with the Nashville area, but can I suggest you have him pull the rad cap off and see if there is coolant in the rad?

When I first talked to him on the phone I had him check the level in the overflow because it was still toasty hot. He said it did in fact have coolant in it and was not empty. Said both belts were on and he said only one fan was on...May be normal maybe not? I'll get an update soon I hope..

Update..Towed to a shop and seems that at least one of the two coolant tubes on the acc. side was boken causing coolant loss. A friend and I put intake gaskets on this engine about 6 months ago and while I worked on the right side he worked on the left. I questioned him if he used any vaseline or sealant on them he said no don't need it...I noticed a very small leak but seemed to be ok and quit months ago and I thought the job was a success..I gave this dude a running small block 350 engine for helping me but now looking back I wish I would have done ALL the work myself to be sure...Lesson learned...The engine has 100% synthetic oil w/ some lucas in as well I'm just praying it somehow survived being ran a couple miles RED HOT... What do you think? He said it was making noise and I hope was a little lifter clatter and not bearings..Shop will be replacing the plastic tubes and fill with coolant and will find out tomorrow if the engine has any life left....I jist wish he would have shut it down at first warning and would have been no big deal.....AAAAAHHHHH

I feel ya Brad. Of all the gauges I tell my wife to pay particular attention to, is that DARN TEMP GAUGE!!!! I don't care about the fuel, battery, or whatever, but pay attention to that temp gauge!!!!!

Let us all bow our heads in prayer, hoping this Bonneville is still strong.

Amen.

Mike, I must say I appreciate that....I Shout from the mountain tops...WATCH TEMP! I tell you this site has helped me over the years and you guys are the real deal for sure. Not sure why I only come here when I have problems and need something???? Kind of like brother in laws. LOL Fingers crossed.....

3.8'* are the newer sbc'*, they are pretty tough.

No word yet but I hope it was tuff enough...I bought the car new in 02 and hope it has felt the love and TLC I have given it. May be asking too much but I hope not. Fingers Crossed

Long Live the 3.8! Replaced elbows and filled er up w/coolant and report seems to be A-OK....Man I was so stressed....Seems like it takes some time to work air out of system easing open the bleeder and filling but I figure the mechanic knows all that stuff and put it in his hands.....Told my son to keep a close eye on it and keep it topped off....

Glad to hear your car is ok!