overheating after coolant change

I drained the coolant in my 96 2.2L cavalier yesterday, filled it with prestone flush and water, ran it and drained it, filled it with water, ran it and drained it, then filled it with 4.5L of coolant and water. The coolant capacity for the car is supposed to be close to 10L but the surge tank was full after only about a total of 5L of coolant and water. I then drove it this morning and it began to smoke and overheat after a few minutes. I let it cool, opened the surge tank cap, and it was full. I ran it again and it overheated again. What should I do now and was there something else I needed to do when I changed the coolant? I read something about removing air from the system. Should this have been done and if so, how do I do it? THanks.

yup, u have trapped air bubbles... isnt there an air bleed bolt on a metal coolant line in the front of the engine somewhere? my sis' 97 model has that...

u r waay to diluted in that coolant system... i say drain & fill w/ 100% coolant. if you have one o those coolant testers to check the % of the antifreeze-water ratio, then i highly suggest getting one

jbody.org may have more answers.