Silly VP Calais died on me this evening

[Automopheliac]

Hey guys
Well I was driving home from work this evening and as I turned around a round about, the engine cut out completely. It started after about 20 minutes, but after a couple of minutes of slow driving (at the end of which I was luckily in my driveway) I noticed it heating up and it started pissing out steam from under the bonnet.
I had a look and the source of the steam seemed to be coming from somewhere around the starter motor, well in that general area (dont have a jack to take a proper look).

Anybody have any ideas as to what this is? it idled really funny at the end aswell.

All help appreciated

Jb

P.s it's a v8

[Vr929]

could be leaking oil from somewhere and landing on your exhaust

[justmattmate]

if it was steam and not smoke it could be a welch plug

[Automopheliac]

Just got it back from the mechanics, the frost plugs were rooted so I got them fixed. Have another problem now as the car seems to be running on 6 cylinders? any ideas?

[markER717]

Are the two non firing cylinders receiving spark at the plug?