Pontiac Repair: Over Heating, 2001 pontiac aztek, radiator hoses

Question
I recently bought a 2001 Pontiac Aztek, The previous owner said the had the intake gaskets redone and installed a new radiator they were still having overheating problems.. I got is home and was checking it out and noticed that one of the spring clamp was leaking causing air pockets in the cooling system. and the water pump was leaking.. so I replaced the items. I'm still having problems with it getting warm not in the red but higher where it is supposed to be, and no heat. I felt the radiator hoses and noticed that the upper hose was extremely hot and the bottom hose extremely cold. I have bled the system a bunch of time and flushed it as well and there is good compression in all cylinders..

Answer
Hi Jason:

these things were noted for a lot of issue with the cooling systems. the heater core is more then likley bound up with air or restricted. I would try to back flush the heater core with a garden hose actaully go both wast with flushing the heater core out. ther are 2 quick connect lines on the engine to the heater hoses disconnect them when the engine is cols and do that first. then fill the cooling system back up and leave both bleeder screws openand fill it up. let the engine run and periodically crack open the bleeder that is above the water pump. leave the one on the thermostat housing closed. once you think it's bled oout put the cap on it take it for a short drive amke sure it doesn't over heat and let it cool off once it's cold agin open the radiator cap up and top off the radiator again and see what happens. if it keeps running hot and your loosing heat I would suspect possably it has a head gasket leaking and the cooling system is gettin air in it from a bad head gasket. good luck. Usually if these blow a head gasket it's on the rear bank by the fire wall but not always. If it has a lot of miles on it replace gaskets on both banks.