Commodore thermostat. Whats wrong now?

[calaisguy]

Hello everyone. Im new here, thought i would join and ask for your thoughts..

My other half broke down coming home from Melbourne last week. My Commodore VT Calais SeriesII overheated. No biggy, so off i went and ferried a 20lt of water container down to top the radiator up. ( starting the car before doing so ) It seemed to take alot of water, and it seemed to be disappearing. I couldnt see any water coming from the engine or going on the ground. I did notice a steady amount of smoke coming from the exhaust tho. Whether the radiator's water was turning into steam/smoke i dont know...

I've been told by the driver that the temp would suddenly rise. I think this is from the water levels as we stopped half way home ( 2 hours distance normally ) and topped the radiator up, getting home 5 hours later.

Ive just flushed the radiator out and replaced the thermostat. Put everything back together, and the engine is still running rough with a bit of puffy smoke like before coming out of the exhaust. Ive let it run without the radiator cap for a few minutes to dispense air, but its still running rough etc. So i am thinking the termostat isnt the cause of the problem.

Any ideas?

I could drop it around to the mechanics up the road, but thought i would ask for ideas and thoughts first.
Many Thanks for your thoughts

[graham7773]

shot head gasket/s pull your oil dipstick out. caffe latte? definite head gasket or worse, cracked head.

[mooseboost]

Hi mate, you should pressue test your cooling system and reinspect for visual leaks. Another place V6's can leak from and can not show any visual leaks is inlet manifold gaskets. If your car has done over 220000kms good chance they are leaking. It might also have a cracked head or heads. Check for leaks at water pump and heater tap as these are common aswell.

[calaisguy]

Yup, caffe latte colour. The 'oil' looks just as rusty as the water that come out of the radiator. I was naturally hoping not, but its looking like one of the above. Done over 210, kms so its been a good innings relatively mechanical 'free'.

Im taking the car down to the mechanics. Driving it 100 mtrs shouldnt damage it anynore!

Thanks Graham and Mooseboost for yours replies

[calaisguy]

Price to fix? Rough estimate?