96 lumina overheating??

[oreome32278]

new to the forum! i was wondering if someone could help me troubleshoot an 'overheating' problem that just started??? 96 lumina 87000 miles.. i bought it in november.. never noticed any issues with temp guage.. lately town driving causes it to go to middle of the guage or higher....(previously it always has been little above far left--low)
freeway driving it stays in low position...and no problems??? car runs well... i know absolutely nothing about cars...any assistance with great detail would be greatly appreciated...

car was serviced after purchase and has new fuel pump/fuel sender/fuel regulator and head gasket (which i was told is a reoccuring issue with this car???)

[Blue Bowtie]

Welcome Aboard!

The temperature gauge is a relative indication of coolant temperature. Midpoint of the gauge is about 220ºF. The vehicle powertrain computer (PCM) will turn on the primary electric cooling fan when the temperature measured at the coolant temperature sensor (CTS) is about 226ºF. If the vehicle is standing still (running but not moving) and warms to the point where a cooling fan turns on, make a note of the temperature gauge position. That should be about 226ºF, according to the CTS and PCM.

Beyond that, make sure the cooling system is properly filled and air has been bled. Air in the system will allow the heads to overheat, and you might be replacing head gaskets again if operated that way for too long. There is a bleeder screw on the thermostat housing and another on the coolant crossover tube along the front of the engine. You can open these (carefully) when the engine is hot and running to bleed any entrapped air from the system.

Verify the front of the radiator is free from debris.

Make sure the coolant concentration is correct.