Thanks for all the help and info so far! Fasteddy, the idling issue was actually there when cold starting the car after sitting over night and did not go away as it reached operating temperature. I did drive the car pretty hard on the highway the days before the idling became an issue but it seems like it went away as the cooling system decided to break instead. Very strange..

Where are the head bolts located? I am not very familiar with engine layouts and have to admit that all mechanical work I have done up until this day (alternators and water pumps on previous cars) has been entirely by reading on the web and getting guidance on this awesome forum. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Are there any other hoses except the heating hoses behind the block and the ones going to the radiator? According to the AAA tow truck man the water pump could be the issue, but that doesn't sound likely since it is not leaking right? And if it was stuck I suppose the belt should have snapped already?