So yesterday on my way home form work I notice my engine temp gauge start slowly climbing. I kept an eye on it, and I also noticed that it wasn't staying in one spot. It would climb a little then go back down then rise up almost all the way then drop below where it usually stays when the car is fully warm. I tried blasting the heat, but only to get cold air from it. I pulled over and opened the hood to expect to see tons of smoke, however, there wasn't any at all. Like I said it would slowly climb up then gradually come down.

 

sounds like air in the system. have you checked your fluid level? it more than likely isnt the thermostat but a new one is like $20 from the dealer and only takes a few minutes to install. replacing you t-stat and the fluid may not be a bad idea

 

I agree sounds like you have low coolant. Whats the resevoir lookin like? Empty? You prob have a leak, maybe water pump? In any case, add coolant and pressure check it for leaks.

 

The coolant bottle had just a little in it. I just found it odd that it was going up and down. I tried listening for that water pump "whistle" but didn't hear anything.

 

I get to ask the newb question today:
Where's the thermostat located?? i honestly have NO idea!!

gr

 

Bad temp sensor sending unit?

Possibly waterpump problems?

 

timing cover side of the motor, follow the radiator hose...

 

Well just because it doesn't whistle doesn't mean it can't be bad. The Orings might also leak or you could have a leak somewhere else. You need to let it get all the way cold, topp off the coolant in the radiator and pressure test it to like 18psi and check carefully.

You can't replace just the thermostat itself, you have to replace the whole aluminum water outlet from the timing cover that hooks up to the radiator hose. Don't forget a gasket.

 

So for the most part it sounds like a leak? I found it odd that the car didn't seem like it was overheating either.

 

facing the engine from the front of the car it is on the left side of the engine where the pipe from the radiator meets the block

 

OK im not saying its 100% a leak, im suggesting you pressurize it so you can rule out the possibility its a leak. But given the fact that your coolant jug is low and your symptoms of the erratic needle makes me beleive your just low on coolant.

You see, the needle uses a water temp sensor to tell you how hot the coolant is. If the water runs low, then the sensor is not submerged in coolant anymore and therefore gives you an erratic reading. Sometimes a little coolant will contact the sensor, then nothin but air, this will make the needle go up and down. So even though you don't "think" your overheating, you very well may be overheating, you just wouldn't know since theres no coolant in there to touch the sensor and tell the needle to go up to hot.

Now if you think about it, coolant doesn't just disappear so where did it go? This is why im suggestiong to top it off and pressure test the cooling system. I've also seen radiators leak from tanks, sometimes the plastic tanks crack. Or the radiator hoses leak. Stuff like that.

 

Thats what I figured...thanks.

 

*UPDATE* I went to start my car to move it and I drove it for two minutes until it died. Now it won't start...any ideas?

 

Does it crank or what? I need more info. What happened exactly? It was on and running fine then just died?

 

*Read top first* I started my car to move it out of my driveway so that my landlord could plow the driveway. As I was backing out, the car suddenly died. I went to start it back up, but it wouldn't start. It clicks...but thats it.

 

Sounds like the battery is very weak/dead and/or your alternator might also be bad and not charging the battery.

 

That makes sense and all. I just wasn't sure if it could have been related to my temp gauge issue.

 

i had the same problem, all we found was the negative battery terminal, it is two peices that bolt together and it had corrosion in between the two. we replaced the battery and
everything before we found this corrosion problem. just soak it in baking soda.

 

Ended up being a junk radiator hose. Thanks for the help.

 

Collapsing on the suction side?

 

Well, the problem is back. This time the gauge climbing is a little less frequent, and my heat only works when I'm on the highway. My guess is the heater core might be clogged. I take it a good flush will/should fix the issue?

 

Have you checked your coolant level, did you bleed all the air out of the system, is the coolant resevoir empty?