I have a 2000 Cavalier that seems to only overheat when my Daughter drives it. She drove for about half a mile and the car immediately overheated.
I brought the car home and tried to verify what was happening. I drive the car every day to work (5 miles) now and still have not had any problems.
This is an ongoing problem. I did change the thermostat a few weeks ago and it didn't seem to help. I did a compression test and reading were #1 Cyl 175, #2 Cyl 165, #3 Cyl 165, # 4 Cyl 180. I did have aq little trouble getting the compression tester to seat properly as the adapter they gave me needed a socket that was to big to get all the way down to where the plug goes.
The cooling fan does go on if the car is sitting at idle and running.
I would appreciate any help.