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?

[Malhar95]

I finally got a chance to work on this car yesterday. I took the rad out and then the thermostat. The thermostat isn't sticking when I push it with my had, but looks like its stuck open a little bit and when I put it in boiling water it didn't really open more
Not movement.

So I'm guessing that's my problem. Since I have the radiotor out anyways I'm gonna install a new one too.
Autozone and oriellys have the same part number for the thermostat for the GT and ST celica. The one that came out of the car doesn't look the same, it looks bigger or wider from the bottom.


Any idea of of it thes same thermostat or should I got with dealer?