Looking for guidance on my "P.o.*" Grand Am (2000). Two months ago
I was doing a lot of stop-and-go in-town driving. The car started shaking and the temperature rose to 225 degrees F. I noticed that the coolant tank was expelling anti freeze. Took it to a shop and the guy soaked me for over $800 that I don't have to spend. He replaced the thermostat and the intake manifold gasket. I've been driving it since but the temperature rises to 202 quickly and stays there SO LONG AS I DON'T GET INTO STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. Yesterday I did and the coolant pissed out so I bought a gallon of coolant, put it in the coolant tank and was able to drive the 40 miles home with the temperature staying around 202 degrees. But I've got a problem for sure and, damn this car, I've already put more into it than it is worth but I cannot afford a new one. I called another shop and he'* talking about replacing the head gasket at "around $1000." Is there anything else I can try or is it indeed proibably the head gasket and I am stuck with a "P.o.*" Grand Am?

Other than when it boils over are you seeing any coolant loss? Any white smoke from the exhaust? Check the dipstick to see if the oil is milky. Any sign of air bubbles in the radiator or coolant overflow tank?

No, no white smoke from exhaust or loss of coolant except when boiling over.
I'll check on the bubbles and oil dipstick this morning and report back here. Thanks.

Everything I am asking you to look for are signs of a blown head gasket.

Appreciate your help 2KG4U...
Checked this morning and see no bubbles in the overflow tank; not really sure how/where to look in the radiator itself as I see no cap like I usually find on other cars I have owned. Checked the oil dipstick and the oil was very clear. The shop that replaced the intake manifold told me that they changed the oil because it was contaminated with gas. But the oil now appears clear and without any gasoline odor.

First, has the engine been properly burped of all air?

Pressure test for any leak?

Third, is your cooling fan running?

If yes to all, then it'* a possible head gasket.......when ever I had an intake job, I always checked the head gasket before doing the job, otherwise you basically do it all over again....

Thanks Tech II...
To answer your questions: I cannot say if the engine has been "burped of all air."
The shop that did the intake manifold did the last work on it abd I am going to call
them today to see if they did. Same goes for the pressure leak check. Not sure if they were that thorough or just wanted to "burp" my wallet of all my money.
Third...took the Grand Am out today...ambient air temperature down to 62 degrees...
engine temperature rise much slower but after 3 miles of moderate traffic driving the temperature finally reached 202 degrees which is where it seems to be on the highway. When I returned home I left the engine running...temperature still at 202 degrees...popped the hood and neither fan was turning. According to what I've read I think those fans are supposed to turn on at 190 degrees. Could this be more of a fan issue?

More info that perhaps someone can use to guide me...
I checked the fuses for the No. 1 and #2 cooling fans; both good. Then I read that
the fans should come on when the air conditioner is switched on. I turned on the A/C
and, sure enough, both fans came on. However when I drive the car and let the temperature rise to 202 degrees, the fans do not come on. Would the next place to check be the fan relays and, if so, how do you get them out of the fuse/relay box under the hood? Do they just pull out (because they seem to be affixed pretty well to not move). Where is the temperature sensor on this 6 cylinder 3.4L 2000 Pontiac Grand Am? I've got the "Haynes Repair Manual" but their photos are awful and I cannot tell where the temp sensor is. Additionally, if I can indeed find the temp sensor how do I drain the coolant "down to below the sensor level" (as the Haynes book prompts me to do)? A new thermostat was installed a month ago by a shop and I wonder if there is an easy way to check it (i.e. with a multimeter)? Could it be bad even though it is new? Appreciate the help guys. I am a technical person but not cozy working on a car so any help is greatly appreciated.

Those coolant fans certainly don't come on when the temp hits 190F....that is when the thermostat should be opening........I think the low speed fans come on at 219F, and high speed is 229F,,,just a guess on my part.....

my girlfriend has a 2000 monte carlo with a supercharged series 2 supposedly from a 2003 Grand prix gtp. anyway she has been having this problem where it runs fine then overheats. What happened was in the winter she put water in and it got really cold and i think broke the radiator, so after putting in stop leak it worked a while until it started leaking again so i replaced the radiator and noticed it leaking out the old top hose, so i cut it down and it fits fine NO MORE LEAKS. probably that was the whole problem anyway idk ill Check the old radiator for leaks.

so after replacing the thermostat and cap and flushing the coolant and burping the air and everything, it over Pressurizes and coolant overflows out the reservoir tank, then it overheats even if it doesnt say low coolant. the hose will be rock hard and out of the air valve comes either steam or air.

i dont notice any white smoke, bubbles in radiator, or anything that resembles headgasket, but it acts like the thermostat stays closed, then opens randomly sometimes after going past 202f or 230+ .
anyone what else could it be? could air still be in the system? am i overfilling coolant? do i need to reflush cause i know some old coolant stayed? what makes it go so high a pressure it pushes it out? i even have a higher pressure cap on too.