Pontiac Repair: Pontiac Bonneville SSE 1992 overheating after oil change, pontiac bonneville sse, pontiac bonneville

Question
I just took the Bonnie in for a new set of tires (68K miles) and an oil change.  Drove home on the freeway for 3 miles and saw smoke coming out from under the hood when I exited at my off ramp.  The temp gauge was not in the red, but not far behind!  Upon arrival at the hacienda, I let it cool and checked the oil dipstick (just in case they had forgotten to actually put the oil in) and it was clean and at the correct level.  There was oil on the engine block, however, and the engine was hot.

So, is this coincidence or something to do with the recent oil change?  Seems odd this would occur immediately afterward.  I love the moneypit Bonnie but.........

Thought?

Answer
Hi ANA

check the coolant level. on those older 3800 engines the coolant bypass fitting would break off and leak coolant out the front of the engine. that or a water pump were very common on that ebgine. the bypass ftting is in the front of the engine under the laternator area it has a small heater type hose on it and the plastic fitting breaks off due ro too many heat cycles. pretty common. that would expalin the high temp as well. I doubt the oils change hand anything to do with it. good luck :)