1996 Cutlass Supreme 3100 (M) missing air deflector

Well, folks gotta say I do have a brand new cooling system in this puppy *engine only has 69k on it) however, carfacts listed the car as being in a minor "no airbag deployment" accident.

My earlier post asking for assistance was appreciated however, after spending 500+ (I'm telling myslef it needed it) the air deflector is missing (never put back on after the repairs.

So, I ordered one (cost, hold on to your hats) $17.00, YUP, did not believe it myself so while waiting, I fashion a very crude air deflector using 26 gauge steel and a weaved cover for a screen door (to prevent the deflector from throwing debris through the radiator) fastened it on there and poof overheating problem going uphills GONE.

To play it on the safe side, I just used Bardahls Head Gasket repair (following strict directions and throughly flushing the radiator disconnected from the engine after the one hour final waiting period) have, drained the system and letting stand overnight as per directions.

You know the last thing I would have thought of after reviewing all the posts. My plan of action is now designing a complete air deflector/dam system for the vehicle tomorrow for, the one installed quickly tonight, actually only covers maybe 60% of the front grill (under/behind the bumper). This first crude device I installed today, lowered the overall engine compartment/engine coolant tempature by over 15 degrees f.

Fans are kicking on, gauge right there were it should be, I think the Oldsmobile dealer that first charged me $900 for a leaky intake manifold gasket screwed me bigtime. But alas all is new and oh well, right?

3.1 head gasket failure is a common problem, generally around 70-90k, but 900 to fix it is a little heavy, typically that job goes for around 650+/-. As for the air deflector, rather than kluge something together, why not go to a junkyard and grab one, you know what the price is new so you have some idea of what not to pay for a used one.