My wife was returning from a long trip when the temp. guage pegged to the top. I immediately had her stop and went to get her and the boys. We let it sit for about 90 minutes to cool off and get it home. On the way home, the temp guage was at the first line (1/4), towards the end of the 2 mile drive, it pegged again. I tried to turn the heat on and did not get any hot air. My first thought and that of my father-in-law was the thermostat.

1. Any alternate thoughts?

2. How difficult is it to get to?

 

Did you check the coolant level? If its full, then I would guess the t-stat would be bad. Just follow the upper hose to the engine and its inside that housing.

 

Thanks. I have not touched it until it cools. That will be what I do in the morning.

 

Ok, I have replaced the thermostat and thought that all was good, then it started overheating again. What should my next step be?

 

Do you know if the fan is coming on? and how long does it take to overheat?

 

Yes, the fan is coming on. It ran for about 15 minutes and settled in about normal, then the fans kicked on and the temp started climbing to just under the 3/4 line. I shut it off, waited about 5 minutes and it went back to 1/2. Decided to drive around the block and it pegged again.

 

It could be your water pump has failed. The blades may not be turning with the shaft.

 

does the upper/lower rad hoses get hot?

 

I purged the system by running with raditor cap off. I blew some bubbles and the coolant would flucuate and drop. Put on a new raditor cap and the top hose firmed up, but the temp still climbed.

Would the coolant "move" and drop if the water pump was not working?

 

No. It would not drop, it would try to push the coolant/water out.