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?

[Box]

If it was the head gasket you'd have oil in the coolant and coolant in the oil and/or you'd have white smoke from the exhaust. $2,200 is asinine, you probably didn't pay much more than that for the car.

Could be the radiator if it is blocked or a majority of the fins are damaged. Have you not replaced the thermostat yet?

[Malhar95]

If it was the head gasket you'd have oil in the coolant and coolant in the oil and/or you'd have white smoke from the exhaust. $2,200 is asinine, you probably didn't pay much more than that for the car.

Could be the radiator if it is blocked or a majority of the fins are damaged. Have you not replaced the thermostat yet?

No smoke, Toyota said its very small, but its damaged and causing over heating

The shop said the radiator was clogged really bad- they flushed it twice but not good. Asking 500. They offered me warranty and it has about 2500 miles left. If I get the radiator done somewhere else or do it myself its going to void the warrantys

I'm just worried what if I get that fixed and the head gasket was the proble and they don't fix that cuz my radiator caused it to go bad-hence no warranty.

500 wasted, might as well do it myself