Overheating problems

[Headly]

Firstly thanks for coming up with this website.

My mother in law has a 93 Grand Am GT 3.3 V6 130,000kms. The heat in the car was almost none existent. The temp gauge was reading low about 1/4. I decided that the thermostat must be stuck open. I changed it. The car started to overheat. I bled out the system 1. by removing the overflow cap 2. by pulling the hose off the thermostat and letting the steam out. If I left the hose off it would never stop sending out steam. I figured it could be a bad thermostat, so I repalaced it with another one. Same problem. Still no heat in the car, but engine overheating. The water pump is a B**ch to get at, and I don't want to cost her more money then I have to. I don't see any coolant leaks. Is there anything I can do to confirm it before I go get another pump.

I really appreciate the that the moderators dedicate their spare time to answering questions so thanks in advance.

[GTP Dad]

Welcome to AF!!

If all you got was steam then you certainly need to change the water pump. The pump is not circulating water and therefore the engine is overheating. That would also be indicated by the lack of heat. If you decide to change the water pump I would also backflush the radiator to insure that it is not plugged.

Good luck!!

[Headly]

Thank you very much for the quick response.
I did change out the pump, and it seems to have fixed the problem with the overheating.
Keep up the good work you are doing alot of people a lot of good.

[HeadlessHorseman]

Glad to hear you resolved your problem. Side note: If the thermostat is installed upside down, the car will overheat. If not, try another thermostat with a lower opening temperature around 165degrees.