My '95 S-Series has had no prior problems, but coming down the highway she suddenly started overheating. I turned on the heater to help the engine but when I depressed the the clutch pedal she stalled. I coasted to a rest stop, the next exit up. After about an hour and a half I started her up and the engine was making a rattling/knocking sound up until about 2,000 rpm.

Now the car starts up but once I shift into gear she just stalls and its difficult to start her up (she still turns over though). Any help is appreciated.

 

overheating can be caused by anything from a stuck thermostat to a bad ects not turning on the aux cooling fan to a blown head gasket to......

95 S car -- what model? SC2, SL1, etc??
Mileage?
How much oil does it burn between oil changes?

You didn't mention adding more coolant after the overheating incident. Did you add more coolant? If so, how much?

 

I just talked to the previous owner to get a little more information for you guys.

1995 SC2
145,xxx mi

She'll burn about an extra quart every 3,000 miles. After the overheating the coolant levels were fine, no need to add more.

Previous owner said alternator was replaced six months ago, along with an engine mount.

 

It didn't lose coolant?

Are you saying it overheated based on temp gauge readout only? Did it go into the red or only up to the three quarter tick on the gauge?

What is the oil level on the dipstick right now? Is their any milky residue on the dipstick?

What color is the coolant? Open the reservoir. Does it look like green coolant or like a chocolate milkshake?

 

The readout reported a spike after an hour of easy highway driving, bringing the needle up nearly to the red, but certainly past the 3/4 mark. No coolant in the oil, or vice versa. Oil level is a little on the lower end, but still above the "add a quart" mark.

The sound its making is almost like a connecting rod is loose and is knocking around inside the cylinder.