This may be a stupid question...took my 88 GXL (103,000 miles) to the mechanic. I was losing coolant somewhere. He pulled the throttle body to replace all the hoses. I picked it up, drove it down the street for about 200 feet, heard a noise (pop) lost all power and smelled burnt coolant. What went wrong. Is the engine shot?

 

Sure sounds like it. Water seal blew and dumped coolant into your engine.

 

Why did the water seal give out?

 

You sir need a rebuild. Have fun.

 

yeah get a rebuild, but get all your money back from the mechanic and sue him for doing the wrong work so you can pay for your rebuild