95 Grand Am SE - Overheating, Help plz

[tedzbug]

I hate this car....what a pain to work on. I have a 95 grand am se, w/ 3.1v6 and auto trans.

It started overheating very bad, all of the sudden 2 weekends ago. Close inspection revealed a crack on the drivers side of radiator. so i replaced the radiator. test drove, was fine, temp spiked 1 miles down the road then it was fine. Drove it home 200 miles, started overheating again when i got within 10 miles of home when i slowed down at lights. (and puffs ofwhite smoke when it OH at that time) Replaced the water pump yesterday, was going to replace thermostat. Couldnt figure out how in the hell to get it out, everything is in the way.... How do i get to thermostat????

Before i replaced the water pump i did a compression check, 140-145 on all cylinders except middle rear one. 130-135 on that one.

Is that enough to be the head gasket??

I just refilled the system (it is 25f outside right now....) i started it and burped it, and the temp was up to over 220 before i knew it with no heat inside still.........

Please help...... i dont know what to do next.

[GTP Dad]

Welcome to AF!!

This does not seem like a head gasket. The small amount of compression drop you have is not that bad. If you see plumes of white smoke coming out of the exhaust that smell like antifreeze then you have a gasket issue but otherwise no.

Also check to make sure you are not getting water in the oil. This will cause overheating and will indicate a problem with the lower intake gaskets.

As for the lack of heat I think you have an issue wihth air in the system and the fact that the thermostat may not be opening is causing the issue. On the 3.1 you will need to remove the air cleaner and a host of other mountings to get to the housing. Once you refill the system leave the radiator cap off until the thermostat opens and the level drops. Refill until full and then put the cap on.

Good Luck!

[tedzbug]

No oil in the coolant... no coolant in the oil....

How the hell do i get to the thermostat??? Do i need to take the throttle body off?? cant hardly get any wrenches in there......

[GTP Dad]

The thermostat housing should not be that hard to get to. You may have to remove the air cleaner and the tube that is part of the crank ventilation system. If you could post a picture of the area I will be glad to help you figure it out but every book I have does not indicate a lot of stuff in the way.

[tedzbug]

I found it!!! Got coolant in the intake manifold inside the throttle body.... must be the plenem gaskets? (the two on either side w/ the 3 oval openings?)

[tedzbug]

So..... got the plenum gaskets replaced (i had time for those right now) still overheating...... no heat in car most of the time.

I broke the air bleed screw off trying to loosen it the the other day.... I ran it for awhile with the resevoir cap off waited for the coolant to settle...... it started to rise?? so i let if for a few mins then i capped it. went for a drive and OH quickly.........

oh please let a meteorite hit this car tonite