Nissan Repair: 95 Maxima over-heated, wont start, timing belt replacement, nissan maxima

Question
I have a 95 Nissan Maxima, which I was driving home the other night. I had driven about 65 miles (distance, not speed) at a steady speed of 75mph when it started to over heat. I was almost home so I continued to drive it (stupid, I know) and about 5 minutes later I noticed that the speed dropped to 60mph and it wouldn't go any faster. I started to pull over to the shoulder and before I could make it, the car shut off.

I opened up the hood to put water in the radiator and there was white smoke coming out. I filled up the radiator with water, but I noticed it was all leaking out of the bottom (most likely from the radiator). I cannot get the car to turn on now. When I try to turn it on, it sounds like the engine wants to turn over but doesn't. I checked the oil and it looks fine.

I'll admit I don't know much, if anything about cars. I'm worried I may have caused damage that will be expensive and right now I'm not in the best spot financially. 2 people have suggested it may be the timing belt; if so, roughly how much does that cost to get it repaired? What else could be preventing the car from starting, and how much would it generally run to fix it?

Thanks!
       -Jesse

Answer
Hi Jesse -

You may have blown your head gasket. PLease do the following -

Remove the distributor cap and turn the engine (either by hand, or try starting it briefly with the key in ignition). If the rotor is moving, then it is not the timing belt.

Remove the radiator cap and fill water up to the top. Try to start the car. If water gushes out of the radiator neck, then it is probably the head gasket.

Cost for timing belt replacement - about $200 - $300
Cost for head job (with valve job) - about $1500 - $1800

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin