Sunfire 2000 2.4L Idle stays @ 4000rpm after replacing water outlet & coolant

Hi guys,

A few weeks ago I had a leak at the "Water outlet", so, I've removed all the coolant, replace the water outlet & gaskets and refill the coolant.

Since then, when I start the car, the engines starts at about 3,000rpm and quickly goes to 4,000rpm and stays there. Except if I put the car in third and play with the clutch. I've tried to drive it around the block and it didn't helped.

When I try to press the "big coolant hose", it soft and cold, I can easily press it and I see bubble in the coolant tank (When the engine runs). So it looks like the coolant doesn't flow.

After about 2min, the car reaches it's "normal" temperature and I shut the engine.

Everything was fine before I changed the water outlet. Any ideas what's wrong?

Thanks!
Guillaume

Car specs:
- Pontiac Sunfire GT 2000
- 2.4 L / Manual Transmission
- 280 000km / 175 000 miles
- AC Doesn't work
- Rusted
- No major issues
- Owning the car since 9 years
- Never let me down!