:::1996 Pontiac Sunfire Overheating:::

My sunfire started overheating. I checked the Thermostat and replaced it. When I ran the car without the Thermostat it wouldn't overheat but it was running with very high RPMs and it jerked and felt forced. When I put the new Thermostat in, it would overheat again. Someone please help me out! I'm a college student, dont have a lot of funds and this is the only car I can use for school and work. Also, my waterpump got replaced a few years ago so I dont think it's that. I mean if it was the water pump/radiator/etc why does it not overheat without the thermostat? Wouldn't that happen with the thermostat removed as well? Thanks.

just cuz a thermostat is new doesnt mean its good

just cuz a thermostat is new doesnt mean its good

so should I go buy another new one?

Is the fan running ? Is the radiator sluged up ?

The fan is on, a strange noise is coming out of my engine though..Sounds like it's coming near one of the belts. Could it be the water pump?

Yes it could.

if your water pump was the problem, it still would have overheated without the thermostat, but you said it didnt,

try exchanging your thermostat before just going in there and buying a new one, you could also put it in a pan of boiling water and see if it opens, however thats a pretty shitty test since you have no idea what temperature the water is when the thermostat is open, like it could be a 180 degree thermostat, that doesnt open till 200 degrees, that thermostat would be bad but you wouldnt know it cuz the boiling water would have opened it up anyways

I am having same problem- changed therm twice- w/o therm doesnt overheat and if i out therm in it overheats ???? what the heck