1994 grandam overheating

I have a 94 grand am se, quad 4 sohc. I was having problems with overheating. I found out through this that I had a bad water pump(bearing failure). I also replaced the thermostat and the water outlet. The water outlet was broke around where the o-ring groove is. Anyway, with all this being done, I can drive about 20 minutes before the needle moves from where it usually runs. Then it starts to run hot. I put a failsafe thermostat in it, so it does not overheat. But something is still wrong.The temp still stays above 220. I was wondering what else could be causing this. I checked under the hood when I got home from work and I didn't see any leaks. I felt the radiator and the passenger side was cold. The driver side was hot. So I guess this means my radiator is plugged, right? And if so, how am I getting circulation, or am I? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Either that or you have a defective thermostat. I have had several new t-stats stick either open or closed right out of the box.

Unfortunatly, you have some type of blockage, It could be a stubborne air pocket, unlikely but possible, try taking off the rad cap and let the car run for a while and keep you eye on the coolant level. Aside from that you may have a bad thermostat, or even worse another bad pump. I had run into this with my wife's old 77 Cutlass, I rebuildt the top half replaced head gaskets had the heads milled and all of that I put the thing back together and put on a remanufactured water pump. After driving about 150 miles the thing over heated again, I checked for circulation, pulled the thermostat and ran with out one and it still over heated. As a last resort I pullde the remaned water pump and found that the impeller was spinning free on the arbor shaft. So the fan pelt was turning the pulley but not the impeller. I then sent the pump back to the parts store and spent the difference for a new pump, Problem solved.

I hope that your problem is something easier than the water pump, I would check for the Air pocket first, when you run the car turn on the heater in the car to make sure you get the coolant to flow through the heater core.

Good luck

Thanks man. I checked for air. It's not that. I guess I'll have to try the water pump and/or thermostat. I have already bought both again. Maybe I can make some lead way. Thanks again!

Well, I changed the water pump and the thermostat again. A little better! I drive an hour to work, and it doesn't get over 220. The thing is it works perfect for a while and then just starts fluctuating. When I get ready to leave work I have to put more fluid in it. Just enough to fill the reservoir up. I have looked for leaks. I don't see anything. I guess the only thing left is the radiator being partially plugged. What do you guys think? I'm just about ready to blow it up. Thanks!

If it is a 2.3 you most likely have a cracked head. Did you check to see if there is a crack by the exaust side of the head. That is what I am in the middle of changing right now. I got a reman head with all gaskets and head bolts for 244 dollars off of Ebay. It is a very lot of work to fix though.

My 94 Grand Am GT 3.4 is also over heating. I took it to the mechanic but he thinks that it is a bad head gasket. I read the oil level after I was done driving it on a short drive but did not seem to find thin oil. Any ideas? Email me at [email protected]

Thanks for the reply. I'm kinda hoping that is not it. But, I'm outta ideas. Bad thing is, on the way home today it did fine. That's what makes me think there is some kinda trash in the radiator. Anyway, thanks!

well, today I got finished with put a new head on my 2.3, and guess what. It still overheats. It looks to have a new water pump on it from the last person that owened it. But who knows, it may still be bad. I also replaced the Thermostat when I did the head job. Does anyone know if there is another known overheat causes. Mabe the Radiator? I have about 500 into the car and would like to keep this one to drive.

Did you get all the air out of the cooling system? It took me about 90 minutes to get mine bled fully after changing the head. Quads are a bitch to bleed, just keep it running at idle until the cooling fan turns on, if things don't seem right keep it running, coolant shouldn't come out of the tank unless something is clogged.