Help me Figure this one out : Blowd up truck!

[Kento87]

OK Driving to the campsite yesterday the temp pegged and the truck started loosing power. Stopped and filled it with water, discovered the water pump leaking. Ok get it filled up and started and limp it home. on the way home the temp remained normal. However it has no power at all so to speak and idle rough as all get out. Now Not only do I have to replace the water pump, I suspect that one of the head gaskets blew. Does this sound about right?

[Drew-py]

If your truck is a Chevy 2.8 or 4.3 that would be the likely issue.

There are ways to check for blown head gaskets that could eliminate or confirm the thought.
Check your oil is it the color of chocolate milk, are you loosing coolant with no noticeable leaks (need to change water pump first), does your truck constantly have a heavier than normal condensation vapor (white smoke) emitting from the tail pipe no matter how long its been running or what temp its at. Is there oil visible in your radiator or coolant tank

Also if it got hot enough and your plugs were old and run hard this could have caused them to literally break apart or erode the electrodes look at them to see what condition they are now in. This would certainly rob some serious power and create a very rough idle

[Kento87]

ok no oil pressure changes, no milkshake in the oil, no oil floating in the top of the coolant and no white exhaust so common with coolant getting into the combustion chambers.. Coolant is leaking from the Water pump so that is a given. I am picking up a compression gauge tuesday and will be doing that on wed so i can check all the plugs at that point. Did not even think about the plugs being a problem. thanks for that idea. I know worst case is $1500 for a new long block, best case water pump and plugs. Paid only $1800 for the truck so even if we have to replace to motor still worth it. thanks Drew!

[spirit]

I had the same problem with an older Buick one time. Turned out to be O2 sensor.

[Kento87]

[Chug]

I'd do a compression and leak down test to see if its a head gasket and start there. I have always found that if you start with the obvious problem most of the other issues will work themselves out!! Don't go looking for other problems when you know that you already have one that needs attention.

[spirit]

My Buick did not show a check engine light either.

[Kento87]

Well after a Compression test #4 was 0 all others were 125-150. So once I pulled the Vc off this is what I noticed! also the Exhaust Valve is stuck down! Problem Found. NOw I just need to get the top end pulled off so i can send the head to the shop to get fixed.

[Drew-py]

yeah a bent push rod will certainly steal power from any type of engine, not to mention the hanging valve

[Kento87]

well thanks to GM I had to spend $60 on a Fan clutch removal tool cause all the ones in town for rent are flared out and not holding the shaft!!! So I guess I get to tear down the motor next week sometime.