I'll probably have to get a new radiator I guess. If I ever turn the heat off the gauge starts to rise. I just replaced the fan belt which was also my water pump belt and that helped a little at first... now after driving for 10 mins (hard driving), I get home and my overflow tank is boiling. like... yea, actually bubbling. wtf.

lets take a vote to see what I should get next:

-radiator $136.31
-water pump $48.49
-car $.....

 

Do you have the shroud on that goes around your fan? Is there any noise coming from your water pump?

 

Also, put a garden hose in the radiator where the upper hose connects and run water through the radiator. See if the water comes out dirty at the bottom(disconnect lower rad hose too). You would want to suspect your water pump before your radiator.

 

hmm... there is a slight clicking noise I hear at idle (only when I pop the hood), I'm not sure where it's coming from though. Could that be the pump? and what will flushing the radiator with a garden hose do?

 

Flush the radiator. The water pump makes more of a whirring noise.

 

Flush the radiator and also check for any damage to the cooling fins. Even a large bug or something can close off about a 1/2" of effective cooling area. Add that to several thousand miles of driving and the rad loses alot of efficiency.
Your water pump could be the culprit. If it's not to hard, pull it off and rebuild it or just replace it. Better safe than sorry and probably cheaper than the rad.

 

I took it to ATI tonight cause my friend was just checking the brakes for his class and one of the teachers said it could be the radiator cap. also, there's an electric fan on the radiator and it doesn't look like it's turning on. the mechanical fan is, though. another thing: the reservoir has a vent hole in the top and the teacher at ATI said it might not supposed to be like that. I need a new reservoir anyway cause that one is a little cracked. thanks everyone for your help, hope I can get this thing cool.

 

The reservoir should have an overflow so the fact that it has a hole in the top is irrelevant.

 

A bad cap would cause the water to boil earlier, causing the car to overheat. Try a new cap or even a higher pressure cap. The electric fan is probably your AC fan. That should only come on if you're using the AC system.

 

Actually it is important that you use the cap that is rated for your cooling system, the cap that came with your car. Inspect the one you have now for rust or corrosion. Flushing the radiator is good maintenance anyways, but be prepared to spill coolant all over your driveway.