So my 1990 firebird formula's temperature gauge goes up very quickly. The check engine light came on and it rose to 280. there was no steam or anything so i kept on driving. also when it does that my heat goes cold. Im guessing it's my thermostat. Another thing is that i added coolant and in one day it went back down to its original level. Is it just in the radiator ? I checked and there was no leaks. Then another thing when im done driving i pop the hood and the exhaust manifold or something is smoking on the right side. Also is there anyway to stop my engine from burning oil ? I dont know what im doing really

 

It sounds like you have a few issues. Firat off driving with the car that hot could have done damage. When you say that you filled the coolant it sounds like you didnt do it correctly. You should take the cap off with the engine cold and fill the fluid to the top. After that you should start the car. Now top off the fluid with it running. Replace cap and let the car run until it gets to normal temp for the thermostat to open so that it fully circulates. Shut car off and let it cool and then top fluid back off and remember to fill the overflow up.

Also you need to pull what code is being kicked when the check engine light is coming on. Could be any number of things.

As far as the oil you need to figure out why it is burning oil. Does it smoke at start up only or all the time. No one can help with out more info. Could be valve stem seals or piston rings. Who knows.

The smoke coming from header is probabaly from a leak running onto it from above if i had to guess. You will have to look around the area and see if you can find it.

I hope this helps you some. I can tell you that your best friend will be the search box. It sounds like you are new to cars and you need to be willing to do some searching for tue answers.

 

Wild guess: Your heater control valve could be leaking.
It's located on the passenger side of the engine and when broken may let coolant flow onto your manifold... which would also account for your coolant loss.
Do a visual inspection of the part and if nothing is to be seen, let the engine reach operating temperature and recheck with the engine running.

 

With high temp and cold heat, your low on coolant and/or had air pockets in your cooling system.

Need to fill it up and burp the motor. Whiel it's running, the coolant level will fluctuate, going up, then dropping rapidly as the air bubble passes the open radiator top. Fill it up some more. This could happen 3-4 times. Once it levels out and stays "full" for about 20 min, you're done.

 

thats my thought as well

 

Yup, low on coolant.