2001 sunfire overheating spark plugs smoking

[Twitch]

So the other day (sunday) my car was left running unknowingly for about 3 hours. When I noticed it, it was smoking so I turned off the engine. We already noticed my radiator blew so we replaced it. Since replacing it the car is keeping coolant levels so I don't think there are any other leaks. but now the car is still over heating and there is smoke coming out of the spark plugs.

Anyone who could let me know what else I should look for to try to troubleshoot this problem, or tell me whats wrong with it just by that alone, that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[melsg5]

Assuming you have the 2.2 engine, are the spark plugs soaked in oil from a leaking valve cover gasket?

 

[Twitch]

Yes, it is a 2.2L engine, and a coupe (unsure if they designed the sedans differently) unfortunately the car is at my girlfriend's parent's house so I can't have a look at it right now. Assuming it is a leaking gasket, what would be involved in fixing it?

I think I saw on another post that had that issue that the smoke from the plugs was black, the smoke from mine was not, I don't know if that makes a difference

(If you want to wait untill I can check if that's what's happening before explaining, I completely understand)

 

[melsg5]

well you should be able to look at the spark plugs and see if they are soaked in oil no matter what color the smoke is.The cover is held on with some bolts and the gasket should be easy to change. I assume we are talking about the plugs still installed in the cylinder head and that you are not talking about black smoke coming out the exhaust pipe?

______________________________

 

[Twitch]

The smoke is coming from the spark plugs, unfortunately after spending most of the night last night changing the rad, we didn't have time to look at the plugs too much as my brother in-law had to work this morning. I will have a look later on once someone is at the house and get back to you.

I don't know if this helps at all, but the car was running perfectly before it was left running on sunday, so any problems I'm having would have been caused by that

 

[melsg5]

spark plugs cannt smoke they are made of ceramic and metal. The only thing that can smoke is a liquid or plastic or rubber that has come into contact with the plugs.

 

[Twinpilot001]

Check The =OIL!!!!!!!!!!!!! what color is it?? milky?? if so =bad sign!! now- i would take a compression test on all 4 cylinders- possibly head is bad-craxcked or warped. If milky oil -id look for a good used engine & get that radiator fan fixed so it will work too!