REAL HOT EXHAUST

its fuel injected try some injector cleaner lucas worked real good for me

If the temp gauge is now more stable, the problem is in your heater system, not the engine cooling system.

chek filters for fuel on frame and in tank

You have air in the system, you will need to work that out, some engine have cooling systen bleeders, if not loosen a heater hose to bleed air from the system.

you need to have the codes checked to know what direction to start repairs,Autozone does this for free

this engine takes about 5 quarts with filter after a hot drain, add 4 quarts and then run and top off, remember to fill the oil filter up before installing to prevent "dry" start up, u can use 5W-30 or 10W-30, either will work, in summer or hot climates use 10W-30, never use a heavier oil.

It sounds like you have a pin hole in the hose that goes to the fuel pump in the gas tank. The pump is mounted on springs and it is common for the plastic hose to get a hole rubbed in it from one of the springs. This usually cause the vehicle to be real hard to get started when it is cold.

you more than likely have a blown head gasket ...

You can Hear fuel running? Where in the tank? If so then it sounds like the fuel pump dettached from the supply line inside the tank.

Hi

A very common failure on these is the CPFI unit , or SPIDER as people like to call it.

There is one single injector which feeds each cylinder via a pipe and poppet. The injector becomes blocked and the engine won't start or run.

Before you go condemning this though, just make sure you have good fuel pressure because the fuel pressure regulator or fuel pump could also have a hand in the problem. Make sure the pump is running, and if not then check the fuse, the relay, and the pump itself.

Very best regards

Geordie