Originally posted by branchingout:
If the head gasket is leaking combustion into the cooling system, the resulting air pockets can block flow. Revving the motor can sometimes move the air and there will be flow again. This could explain your overheating and heat problem. Since a head gasket is not exactly unheard of in these vehicles, you may want to get it checked.



Here is a cheap quick way to test.

Fill antifreeze to the brim on recovery tank (leave cap off). Remove all spark plug wires. Remove all but one spark plug and have someone crank the engine. If the antifreeze bubbles over, there is leak from that portion of the engine (or cylinder). If not, go to the next cylinder, and then the next.... Note, it could be more than one area or more than one cylinder. Good luck.

"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles