I searched and found a few threads that pertained to my problem, but did not really help.
My wife has a 01 Cavalier with the smaller of the two motors (2.2 I think)
with auto trans and A/C
My son drove her car and it overheated. We took the car to a shop because there was pressure blowing back into the radiator. They said the machine shop told them the head needed to be shaved. They installed the shaved head, installed new thermostat, and belt. We drove the car on day 1 and the temp was 195 to 210. next day it overheated. I removed the thermostat and it ran cool. We carried it back on Monday to the shop and they said it must had been the thermostat was bad. They replaced it. Same thing. Ran fine day 1, next day, overheating.
When it ran hot the radiator was cool. I waited until the block cooled, removed both radiator hoses, ran a garden hose through the top hose and water poured out the bottom one real good. Put garden hose in bottom one and water poured out the top one fine. I replaced the water pump. Still runs hot. Even tried running watter through block (When it was cold) and there is no obstructions. Now I did notice that the "Engine" and "Trac" lights are on all the time. Also the 30 amp fuse was blown for the fan. replaced the fuse and it blew too. I noticed in another post the poster was told to "Jump" the relay. How is this done? I also read another post where someone was told to turn on the A/C and the fan should come on. Mine does not (Guess its the blown fuse). After removing the thermostat for the second time the car runs cool and the radiator is hot all over (Top to bottom, left to right). Also I assume the thermostat was installed correctly by the shop, the pellet was towards the block. I do notice thet if I squeeze the upper hose while the car is running I really can not feel the water trying to pass through, almost as if the pump is not pumping. I assume this is because of some by-pass line or something. I checked the belt diagram on the hood, the pump supposed to turn anti-clockwise and it is.
Any thoughts? Please try to explain in simple terms as a mechanic I am not, I am a carpenter and plumber, have not worked on cars since about the 70's!
Thanks.