I’ve got a 2001 Malibu with 157k Miles that I’ve been having to feed water too, was trying to limp it til I got my VA check but it didn’t make it.

Tonight on the way to the store, in stop/go traffic it started rattling from the engine bay as the temp neared the red line. It’s never reached the red line before. Once the rattling began the first red light I came to the car stalled. Popped the hood and could hear hissing noise coming from the rear of the engine between the firewall and the engine. I pushed it off the road and it started, with a fight, 20-30 minutes later after it cooled down a bit.

I need help on ideas of what’s wrong. I have some tools. Recent Oil Change done by myself ~200 Miles ago, checked that, still perfect color oil and levels. Coolant Tank is filled.

Any other information needed that might help let me know!

 

open the hood and post a video of the noise
-check the oil and trans fluid dipstics for coolant contamination
-any white smoke out the exhaust or bubbles in the coolant surge tank. Does it use a coolant surge tank or coolant reservoir? surge tank has a pressure cap, reservoir has a snap on lid and its not pressurized.

 

No white smoke as of yet. Car has sat for about 14 hrs so far, just woke up but I will try and get a video up later.
Surge Tank, it's a sealed system 3.1 GM engine
No contamination found yesterday on the oil dipstick, again I'll check when I attempt to recreate the noise.
I didn't check the surge tank for bubbles , that part I actually forgot about.

By your questions I'm assuming you're leaning towards blown head gasket and possibly a warped head.

 

it's one posssiblity. Hard to say over the internet. Gotta test things to rule stuff out. cooling system pressure test, compression test are 2 good ones.

what engine is in this vehicle? 3.1L? head gaskets are rare but leaking intake gaskets are common.