GM-GMC: Engine Problems, temp guage, head gasket

Question
Hello,

I have a 1997 Chevy C1500 2 wheel drive with the 350 engine (vortec). The engine blew a head gasket and the mechanic repaired that. Sometime after that (not long) the engine would run low on water and most times within 5 miles of the house, the temp guage would just all of a sudden go 200 degrees (I would pull over before it got too high). The mechanic said that I had a hot spot in the engine and that with the thermostat closed because it was cold, it caused it to steam the water at the hot spot and I would loose water and that was also why the tempature would jump so quickly. He suggested (and did) to take out the thermostat so water could always circulate. That did fix the high temps and also the loosing water. However, now it is winter and the truck stays cold inside (no heat from heater). One other thing I cannot figure out is why when I crank on the card in the morning (and sometimes other times), I can hear water bubbling in the heater coil in the truck. With the thermostat off and the radiator full, there should be no air in the system. My question is: Is the mechanic correct in his thinking on the hotspot and also on his solution or does this sound like something else completely (like he put the belts on the water pump backwards and it is pumping backwards)?

I appreciate any information / suggestions you might have. I know your time is valuable and I thank you.

Steven

Answer
It is impossible to put a belt on backwards and reverse the pulley. I can not tell you if the mechanic is right because I only know that instead of avoiding the problem he should have fixed it. It is not good to just find a solution you need it fixed and I would take it to someone else to have the problem looked at.


copy and paste this in your browser http://www.usfreeads.com/290890-cls.html