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Let the engine cool down then remove the radiator cap. With the cap off, start the engine and let it idle. Watch the water in the radiator. As the engine heats up, the water will rise as it expands during heating. When the thermostat opens, (and this may be your problem) the level will drop, and you will be able to see the water recirculating through the radiator. If this doesn't happen, the thermostat is not opening (stuck closed). If you can see the water recirculating when you start the cold engine, then the thermostat is stuck open. Either condition will cause overheating. Start with the easy fix first (thermostat) before going to the water pump.
Sounds like thermostat is stuck open. What brand did you use? If it's a fail safe, that's your problem. They usually go to fail safe even without an overheat condition right away and lock full open.
Ok, here is my take on your problem. As you may already know, it takes a car a few min. to actually warm up to operating temp. When the coolent reaches operating temp. the thermostat opens to circulate the coolent in the radiator. Now, as your drive, the air pushing against your car will actually blow some air through your heating system ducts and into the passenger compartment. Is it possible that your blower fan isn't working? Because while you are stopped, there would be no air forcing its way through your ducts, thus no heat. As your drive, your car gets up to operating temp, heats up, and the air pressure as your drive will blow some heat out into the passenger compartment? On a side note, if your thermostat is stuck in the open position, it would take it forever to warm up since it is circulating ALL the coolent even tho it isn't at operating temp. A thermostat stuck open will take 30 min or more before you actually feel any warmth, if at all in the winter.. your thermostat opens and closes constantly as the engine is running to keep it at its normal temp, usually around 160-180 degrees. If you live where it gets really cold, a thermostat stuck open likely will never get warm. If your blower motor works, and your engine don't overheat, im 98% sure its your thermostat.
First check to see if coolant is flowing through radiator, check cooling fans to make sure they work when it reaches hot temperature. If it's not flowing, check thermostat to see if it's opening.
The thermostat is an internal part so it can't leak like this. Usually leaks are hoses, radiators or water pumps. You need to narrow down where the leak is. Just turn the engine on and watch you will see where it is leaking from. Once you can narrow that down and describe it then it is easy to describe the fix ie replace a hose or just tighten a hose clamp.
Well the gauge issue could be your Coolant temp switch is bad.But if the car is blowing hot air out when the ac is on,that can be a faulty thermostat new in the box(it does happen) or you have a airpocket in your cooling system which just needs bled out.Usually there is a small valve located near the water inlet to the engine just open it and run the engine until water starts coming out then close off.Or if the car is not running hot,then you may just have a blend door or the heater control valve under the dash stuck on heat so it is just letting in hot air all the time.Narrow down what it is not then you will find out what is doing it.Check the switch,check your bleed valve,then check your heater valve and hoses.All are fairly cheap to replace.
Take the truck to a place like Autozone to have them read the code the engine light is producing. Usually done for free. At this point, we can help narrow it down with the codes. As for the gauges going haywire, TB's have a problem with te stepper motors on the back of the instrument cluster, these little inexpensive motors, may need to be replaced. OR you could have a problem with your ignition switch.
Mine did the same thing. The thermostat was stuck open. Replace thermostat, the problem went away. If stuck open, it doesn't get to operating temperature when cold and indicates the engine is too hot when it's warm outside.
The water temp (coolant temp) is cold all the time? Thermostat stuck open. Replace, not good for car. Computer can't adjust well to that and will cause fuel economy issues, never allow car to warm up properly. Opposite of thermostat stuck shut causing overheating. If the water can't be restricted enought to heat up and then be maintained at the correct temperature your car is not operating efficiently, won't pass smog I'd assume, etc. Thermostat is at end of upper radiator hose in thermostat housing. Two bolts to remove. Pop out thermostat and see if its stuck open. It'll have a gap if it is and it will be shut if not. You can boil water vigorously and hang your thermostat in it with a wire or something and watch it. It should move open from closed at a noticeable rate. When removed after fully opening, it will close as it cools. If it doesn't move and is stuck or moves EXTREMELY slowly it's done. Replace gasket, replace thermostat, light coat of sealant on gasket if you wish and torque down evenly. Replace lost coolant. Hope this helps.
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