chevrolet cavalier overheating water pump or radiator?

Hello,

I have a 1998 chevrolet cavalier z24. About 8 mo ago my water pump begin leaking. I did not have the 400 bucks to fix it at the time so I mechanic friend of mine told me to try barrs leaks to stop the leak to buy a few days. Well it worked well as far as the leak but now after about 2 cans of barrs leaks and 8 months later, my car is overheating....not all the way in the red but definitely hotter than normal. Even hotter when sitting still. Now I dont know whether to replace the water pump, or if I have maybe stopped up the radiator with the leak stopper, or even if I could try the thermostat which would definitely be the cheapest way. Please help me..I need advice.

Thanks Hi,
I've used Barrs leak stopper in the past and it ended up clogging my radiator up. Really the right way to deal with this is to get a professional power flush to hopefully drive that stuff out and a pressure test to see in fact where you are really leaking. May not be the waterpump at all. As far as the thermostat, you will probably have to replace it simply cause of the Barrs leak stuff which is really a "metal" substance that can prevent proper operation of your thermostat. Using 2 cans of that stuff is alot in my opinion. Thermos should be replaced every other year or every 25-30K miles anyhow. A leak, clogged radiator or bad thermo can all cause you to overheat and it sounds like its time to get it done right.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Tom KCar Repair Talk's forum.