overheating st Options

[Malhar95]

i recently noticed, that my gauge reads hot sometimes and then drops quickly, first time it did that i checked the coolant, was a little low added water,

and then it does it randomly, coolants level is good. however when i turn the blower on (with temp to hot and AC button on) the needle comes down.


i also noticed the first day, that its leaking from where the bottom radiator hose connects to the engine, above the transmission area.
but yesterday when i was filling up gas, (it wasnt over heating or anything, i just checked) i saw its not leaking from there, but its quit wet under the coolant reservior and it was bubbling.

im guessing its the thermostat, but any input from you guys? how do i diagnose a thermostat, other than taking it out and puting it in a hot pan?

[rm240sx]

Hey man I just ran to the autoparts store and bought a thermostat for like 6 bucks and some antifreeze. Came home and I removed the two main coolant hoses and the thermostat housing which is two 10mm bolts on the left side of the 7A. The old thermostat looked crappy. I then took my garden hose and flushed water through all lines, the radiator and the block. I also removed the line that runs to my heater core and flushed it til it was clear. Put everything back together. Filled with fresh coolant. ran it till it got warm and that's all the further it would go no overheating! In fact its cooler than it was running and my heater works better now too. It only took about 1 hour at max to do it! Its worth a shot and itll save you money instead of going to a shop!