1995 Grand Am 2.3 Quad 4 Overheating Question.

[doug2060]

My 1995 Grand Am 2.3 Quad 4 Automatic with 118,000 miles is overheating even with the thermostat removed. The odd thing is that when I relieve the pressure at the reservoir the coolant is still cold. It hisses and spews like it's hot yet it is cold or luke warm. The fan kicks on and everything. Any help is much appreciated. I did notice that when I removed the thermostat housing very little coolant leaked out.runaround

[GTP Dad]

First of all the thermostat keeps the coolant at a certain temperature so without it you are constantly circulating coolant that is one reason that the coolant is cool to the touch. The other issue sounds either like a bad water pump or air in the system. Either can cause issues. Finally check to make sure the water is flowing through the radiator. A blocked radiator will cause overheating issues.

[skibum1111]

Another thing that will cause overheating with quads is a bad heater core. For some strange reason GM decided to have the coolant circulate through the heater core before reaching the thermostat on the 94 and 95 2.3 quads.

[doug2060]

Thank you, I will check it out. I did have it tested and it doesn't have a blown head gasket. Luckily I have a radiator shop two houses down. I also didn't know the thermostat is at the water pump on this car. I was looking in the wrong place. I now have another issue with a check engine light to address first which I may post for help if I can't figure it out. I'm seriously considering parting this thing out on ebay. Every time I fix something I get slapped with something new to fix. Luckily I haven't spent but $6.00 and only paid $250.00 for the car.