Oh and check this out (I forgot about reading this one):

https://montecarloforum.com/forum/mo...t-31730/page2/

I'm going right now to the place where he bought the pump and MAKE THEM SHOW ME WHICH ONE HE BOUGHT.

 

The pump that is in there now is the top one in vikesfan's picture. The one that WAS in there is the bottom one.

Hopefully this guy will agree to switch them out.

The guy at the parts store (Bumper to bumper) showed me that the picture for his part # shows the 9-fin pump, but the one that's actually in the box is a 6-fin pump. This seems to be a mistake; either on his computer system, or something on CarDone's end...

The guy who posted this (like I mentioned earlier) had the EXACT same problem. His was a 1997 but it's the exact same engine.

 

PROBLEM SOLVED. We (yes I was there to make sure he did it right) took out old pump (top pic) put in new pump (bottom pic), let it run with rad cap off, letting several bubbles out, topped it off, drove my usual route where it would always spike at least 2-3 times. Gauge did not budge AT ALL. Just like the other two examples I found.

This thread should be marked as solved, and stored for all those guys having the same problem.

vikesfan: what's the chance in your opinion that I do really have a head gasket leak? After all, the hot lite came on several times on the first day I had it back, and the gauge has spiked at least 100 times during all my troubleshooting. If increased flow means it can actually push air bubbles out, maybe that's all its doing - that is, pushing them into the overflow tank once the pressure gets high enough. Maybe just keep an eye on the coolant for leaks/oil in it? And watching the oil for coolant in it? And of course keeping an eye on the coolant level...

 

glad to hear that its working properly now and you didnt have to do the head gaskets.


i would just keep an eye out for tell tell signs of a bad headgasket. it may not have ruined the gasket or warped the head, but IMO, you are now more susceptible to them. but i wouldnt worry "to much"

 

COOLNESS!!! Thanks again A MILLION for the help - I am now a cooling system EXPERT lol.

If anyone ever has this problem when everything was fine before your water pump was leaking, MAKE SURE THE PUMP IS CORRECT. The pump Bumper to Bumper found/recommended had the correct picture on their computer, but the WRONG ONE WAS IN THE BOX.

 

lesson learned #1??? dont have an oil change guy work on your car unless he is your friend and you KNOW he can work on your car.

lesson learned #2??? dont buy parts from bumper to bumper. napa, o'reilly's, autozone, dealer (in that order) are the only places i get parts from.