Car was perfect until last night, i was idling in a parking lot for about 15 minutes, and i looked at my temperature gauge and it was almost at the first top line(of 2). I turned it off, let it cool for 5 minutes, started it up, and the temperature went down, but not to normal levels, it was still too hot. Drove across the street, and the temperature went down a little bit, but once i started idling, it went up again. I made it home and parked.

This morning on my way to school, the car was fine for the first 15 minutes, then i noticed the temp gauge going up too high, 3/4th way up. I got to school, parked for 3 hours, then on my ride home the same thing happened, except this time the gauge needle went all the way up above the first line. I pulled into a gas station, let the car sit for a while, then started up and started driving home. I noticed that as soon as i apply gas, the gauge slowly moves up, but when i put it in neutral, the gauge goes down to a little above half way up.

Whats the problem here? I thought it was the thermostat...any ideas?

 

How much coolant is in the radiator? Are there any leaks?

 

It might just be the guage - You never know. That happened to my brother.

Does it seem like there's an excessive amount of heat coming off when you open the hood?

 

Be careful. My temperature gauge wasn't indicating the car was truly overheating (only at about 5/8) and the car still was overheating. If there is no coolant in the system, the gauge can't get an accurate reading. I had to get my engine replaced because I tried to keep driving while it was overheating. It's not worth trying to risk it.

 

Thats most more than likley the thermostat. YOU SHOULD CHANGE THAT OUT YOURSELF, IT'S NOT THAT HARD AT ALL TO DO. If it's still overheating then it's your radiator? whioch you caould also do yourself, but a little bit tougher.....

 

Could also be the water pump. If that goes then it will over heat.

 

That's what happened to me. All my coolant was gone and I had no idea.

 

^^^^^TRUE, VERY TRUE, AND THAT YOU DEFINATLEY WANT SOMEONE TO CHANGE IT CUZ THATS A PAIN IN THE A$$!

 

Checked the radiator fluid and uhh..i dont see any. Isn't it supposed to be up all the way to the hose that goes to the plastic tank?

the coolant plastic tank is full

 

Check the hoses for a clog. The fluid should be to the top of the radiator.

 

You've got a problem my friend. if your radiator is empty, then there is a leak somewhere, or worse, you could have a head gasket problem, which is pushing coolant into the overflow (plastic) tank. I would get it TOWED to a mechanic and have them look at it. If you keep driving it you are risking more damage. Coolant should be right up to the top of the radiator.

 

ok do this. let it cool down for a couple of hours..then open the hood and take off the radiator cap....then start it like that...let it warm up.....if it's starts overflowing,it's your thermostat(it should flow like a mini river)...or maybe the water pump, but make sure you fill up the radiator with coolant and that there is NO LEAKS.....

 

I just filled up the radiator, and it needed about a quarter gallon of mixture. Should i empty out the overflow tank?

 

Emptying the overflow tank won't do you any good. If coolant is being forced into overflow, it will just spill out.

 

ok thanks.

I filled the radiator and drove around a bit, hammering the car at times, and the temperature stayed just below the middle mark on the gauge, so i guess that was the problem. I drove home, and the fluid level went down a little bit from the point where i filled it, but im guessing its just somewhere in the lines. I guess i'll see what happens in the next day, and if it overheats, i'll take ur suggestion(dan) and have it towed because i don't want to replace the engine.

 

Hopefully it was just low coolant. I still think you should have it pressure tested, to check for any leaks.