Hey Linda==It just has to be checked out. Ir varies as to how hot it actually got and looking at it is the only way to tell. GoodluckJoe
Could be a bad thermostat or dirty rad or heater core which would be better than what you mentioned.Good luck.
Also check to see if radiator fan is running when the engine is hot. My cars fan had a bad connection at the fan motor. One of he prongs broke off.
Thermostat probably needs replacing They can stick not allowing enough water to flow around the engine block If the engine overheats it can warp the head or blow the head gasket
A V6 engine in a Mercury Sable takes ( 6 spark plugs )
No the engine is not ruined. It needs a new head gasket and an oil change after the gasket been changed.
An old gasket that needs to be replaced.
Your head gasket is shot and needs to be replaced
generally if an engine overheats, but then does not overheat when heater is turned on, is a good indication that the engine thermostat is stuck and needs replacing
When the engine overheats because thermostat won't open to allow the water to flow and cool!
that is a bad head gasket or blown head gasket the engine needs to be repair
It depends on the quality and miles on your existing engine. If you have a great engine, that all it needs is a head gasket, then that's better than an old engine that you may have no idea about it's history and past repairs.
This means that a gasket has been broken that keeps the head separate from the block. The engine will overheat easy or water will flow into the oil compartments in the engine. Either way, this needs to be fixed before the engine is used.
A blown head gasket is usually caused by over filling the oil during an oil change, or just the opposite not having enough oil to compensate the pressure status, therefor causing exstreme overheating which in turn will cause many problems other than just a blown gasket. ie; engine locks up, overheats ,and then is all around just needs replacing. Once you've blown your engine you basically have hit bottom. Hope this helps. It can also be caused by detonation. Especially if you add turbo or supercharger aftermarket.
Probably needs a new valve cover gasket.