engine Overheating

Engine Cooling problem
2002 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

the heater blows hot then cold simultaneously and the coolant gets shot right out of the surge tank and then the overhating starts from the lack of coolant

Yikes! We need to do a block test and see if there are exhaust gasses in the coolant. Go to a local parts store and ask for a block test kit.

Engine Cooling problem
2002 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 102000 miles

While driving the car last night, the light came on the dash registering hot (up as far as it could go). Would you suggest this is a thermostat problem? I have checked the water and coolant areas. Fans were not working when I arrived home and opened the hood.

If the veicle was running hot and fans are not coming on that is one issue. Try turning the a.c on when vehicle is running, and see if fans come on. Either way if vehicle ran to hot the thermostat needs to be changed

Engine Cooling problem
2001 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 146000 miles

begin have problems 5 months ago about engine cooling, changed antifreeze, but did not solve problem, then changed the reseivor twice and problem solve for around two weeks because the water temp damaged them, then changed a hose from radiator to thermostast, solve problem around a week, then changed the thermostat but it didn't solve the problem, then send the radiatior for service but again! the problem continues and water pump had been changed and problem is present, now water drain by reseivor security hose before cooling fans turn on, finally temperture sensor has been changed but the problem is present, I don't know what can I do, I hope you can help me.
thanks.

Have your cooling system as well as your radiator cap pressure tested to make sure there's no leak.
Analysing your coolant for exhaust gas could also reveal if your head gasket is leaking/blown or not (which is a strong possibility if you kept driving the car while it was overheating).

You said you flushed the radiator, but have you flushed the entire system? If you haven't done that, it's something you may need to do.

Also, sometime the lower radiator hose collapses. It may look fine from the outside but be bad in the inside. You may want to take a look at it.

you could have air trapped in the cooling system; make sure you bleed it well.

Have you checked the serpentine belt and the belt tensioner? if the tensioner is weak, or the belt old and stretched, it is possible that the belt slips on he water pump pulley resulting in the water pump not performing well.

Make sure your cooling fan turn on when it's supposed to. when car starts overheating, does the fan turn on?

I had these same problems, and changed everything so far, except the actual radiator. Did you ever solve this and what was it? Thanks

car overheat warning light dinged on I noticed car thermostat gage was almost to red so I turned on heater to try & cool it down but all that came out was cold air no hot & it was on full blast

Make sure it isn't low on coolant. Then, I would recommend checking the thermostat. Let me know what you find.

i have a 2002 malibu and my temp gage keep reaching the red mark what is wrong

Have you checked the coolant level in the radiator, not just the reserve bottle?

Has it lost any coolant?

where is the radiator at in the 2002 malibu

It appears this may be beyond your ability. It may be time to bring it into a shop for diagnosis before you do internal engine damage.