Hi there! I'm sorta new too, however, i have a 96 Elcips GS and let me tell ya. you've only just begun with this problem. I have never "over-heated" like you just did, but. I over-heat everyday until something "happens" and the temp guage goes down. Both fans work. IT's the head gasket. i've replaced 3 so far. it'a all about the backed-up combustion thing all the guys at work tell me about. i live in Central Jersey. I've had the dealer do it the first time because it was warranty. and i had a guy that used to work with my brother do it the second time only charged me 300 $ that was with parts. But he's MIA. So now i'm goign to take it to Sonny's J&S auto in East Brunswick. He's helped me out on an emergency job before. They are honest , great mechs, great service and the prices are competitive. I don't know thier # off hand, but from Philly you're looking at an hour, hour & a 1/2 drive depending on traffic.
Did you check to make sure it's not your thermostat?
11 bucks at R&S Strauss?????? alot of savings there...