Can You Help A Girl Out?

I would start by first burping the cooling system to make sure there is not air pocket trapped in the cooling system some where.

I do this by popping the cap off the radiator, starting the engine pouring coolant in until it wont take anymore and I let it idle for a bit and get warm so I know the stat opens up,then I will speratically squeeze the upper radiator hose to try to force any air out of the system (if you burp some air the coolant level will drop and then you just add some more coolant to it)after doing this Ill then hold the rpm's at around 1500-2000 rpms to keep the coolant circulating fast enough that it draws the coolant level down and WHILE I am holding the rpm's I will add coolant to the radiator.

then as soon as you let off of the rpm's its going to want to overflow out of the radiator cap a bit but that is fine....after that put the cap back on and your done.

also I would suggest buying a flush T, you can get them at most auto parts stores for a couple bucks ,you then just chop one of your heater hose lines in half and install the flush T in between the two halfs of the hose you just cut......with this flush T you can "burp" your system like I mentioned doing through the radiator but with a flush T located in a heater hose its actually the most efficient way to "burp" the system being that it is the highest point in the cooling system and that any air in the system will rise to the highest point and settle.

also with the flush T you can simply screw a garden hose into it, disconnect your lower radiator hose, turn on the faucet and flush your cooling system.

what thermestat do you have in it right now? a summer stat? a winter stat?,if its over heating you might want to drop to something like a 165 degree stat so it doesnt stay closed as long.

sometimes a good way to judge if the stat is working is to sit in the car and watch your temp gauge, the temperature should increase and then as soon as the temperature reaches the matching temperature that the stat is meant to open at....your gauge should drop by 30 or so degrees when the rush of cooler fluid enters the engine and then the temperature should either stay right about there or slightly rise back up some.

if you notice this sudden drop in temperature than your stat is working.

a fan shroud would definitely help keep it cool.

there is alot of things that could cause it.....from basic stuff like I have mentioned all the way up to serious things like a bad head gasket or something ( lets hope that is not the case though!).

someone here can come help you or between all of us we can atleast give advice and send you in the right direction.

good luck on getting it fixed!

P.S. that picture is funny :cheers: