1996 Monte Carlo Overheating

I have a 96 monte with a 3.1 L V6. I am having overheating problems. When I have it running on the highway, it runs at a good temperature, but when I slow down and drive side streets it immediately spikes all the way to hot. Both fans are working and I noticed that at higher rpms(3000+) it begins to drop the temp gauge down. Any ideas on what the problem is here.

I dont have the cash to be dropping money on a bunch of parts and have it still not work. I was figuring it was the water pump(but I dont see any leaking fluid) or maybe the therm.

A couple months ago I flushed the coolant system out. I didnt open the bleeders because I heard it was not necessary and that the system would do it naturally. I had no immediate problems with the overheating until now, so i'm pretty much ruling that out.

I have a 96 monte with a 3.1 L V6. I am having overheating problems. When I have it running on the highway, it runs at a good temperature, but when I slow down and drive side streets it immediately spikes all the way to hot. Both fans are working and I noticed that at higher rpms(3000+) it begins to drop the temp gauge down. Any ideas on what the problem is here.

I dont have the cash to be dropping money on a bunch of parts and have it still not work. I was figuring it was the water pump(but I dont see any leaking fluid) or maybe the therm.

A couple months ago I flushed the coolant system out. I didnt open the bleeders because I heard it was not necessary and that the system would do it naturally. I had no immediate problems with the overheating until now, so i'm pretty much ruling that out.


because both fans are operating it is overheating......if you recently replaced coolant it is important to bleed system and also to fill with radiator cap off as long as possible to ensure complete fill....


because you have a cash problem i would remove thermostat and examine that it is fully closed then with a wire attached place in a boiling pot of water if the thermostat does not open fully get new thermostat i believe its a 195deg..... you will need rtv sealant and a gasket and a thermostat rubber O ring...........total cost is about 20.oo.......thermostats last about 8years...try to replace every 5years or you will have a blown head gasket..

if the thermostat is good it is possible that the radiator cap is not holding pressure with no pressure coolant boils and water pump cannot pump AIR............have fun!!

another item is the head gasket... if blown this will cause coolant to stop flowing to radiator and overheating is created..same as cap water pump cannot pump air.........