Foothillsfamily

Vehicle recently overheated - local dealer replaced cracked radiator, hoses and thermostat. They claimed to have let it idle for hours and all was good. My wife picked up the car and never made it home before it overheated again! ( 20 min drive). I managed to get it back to the dealer by driving til the temp started to creep up and then pull over til it cooled off, and then repeat the process.... Both of us felt that the engine ran louder- the rev counter seemed fine, but the engine noise almost felt like it needed to shift into the next gear. The dealer told us that the car had a blown head gasket- and replaced that ( and the timing chain while they were at it) The car still seems to be running load- and not a noise as one would expect with a muffler issue. questions: 1) any idea why the car would suddenly run "louder" after this overheat issue? Is it in any way connected- or just a coincidence? 2) could the dealer have accidently bumped something? 3) We have had the intermittent check engine light and cruise control light issue(replaced gas cap 2 times- no joy) Read on another blog that this could be the catalytic convertor and this might explain the "louder" than normal engine sound. 4) any recommendations for an independent shop in the Chattanooga, TN area to give a separate opinion? Thanks in advance- not sure where to go from here!