Cooling System Assistance Options

[brandon702bmx]

I'm on here a lot lately... seems like I am becoming a nuisance more than anything.

To be fair, I've "researched" other sources to see if I can answer my question properly but none of them really seem to answer it.

Anyhow, I removed the radiator because my car was in an accident. (had to do some repairs to front end) I installed it and filled with coolant...

I've been driving the car recently and noticed that when I come to a stop, the car is leaving puddles of coolant + overheating at some times. At other times... it takes a while to get up to operating temperature. The gauge stays well below the half way mark. I'm talking about 1/4 of the gauge even while driving it for periods of time. I also forgot to mention, it fluctuates as well. It seems like it wants to go to operating temp and then goes right back down.

My research has brought me to this conclusion:
When filling radiator with coolant, jack the front of the car so that it is elevated.
Leave the radiator cap off, place a funnel in the hole and make sure it fits snug, fill to where the coolant is visible at the lowest point of the funnel.
Turn the dial to the hottest setting and put the heater on low.
Allow the car to run, reaching operating temp.
Squeeze rad hoses to assist with removing air.
Add coolant as needed until fluctuating coolant levels stop as its replacing coolant with the air in the system.
Screw cap rad cap on.

Everythings good after that? I'm sure to most this may be common sense but I was unsure of doing this.

Also a speculation since sometimes the car won't reach operating temp, the thermostat is bad and isn't allowing proper circulation since it may be getting stuck?
What should be troubleshooted first?

[slavie]

For the thermostat, best is to take it off and drop it in a cup of boiling water. Just 2 10mm buts holding it in after you take off the hose. If you have a way to measure the water temp, you can make sure it opens at the right temp.

What I like to do is disconnect the radiator return hose (top one) and pour in the coolant directly into the hose. This way you'll fill the engine block directly, rather than waiting for thermostat to open or waiting for it to seep through the tiny hole in the thermostat (if you have an OEM one). Usually a quart or two goes in that way, in addition to filling the rad to the brim.

This does not eliminate air, it just helps to get rid of it sooner. At this point, run the car until you get heat out of the vents inside, and shut it off. Let it cool down, top off the rad/overflow tank, repeat. Second top off will take much less coolant, and the third one will take a cup or so (this can be done after few days of light driving, just make sure to watch the temp gauge).