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?

[cheela]

I thought you got a new radiator. If you got into a crash bad enough to set off the airbags, I think the radiator would no longer be good. It seems like your problems are coming from reusing the radiator. If you had to bend it back into shape then I would replace it. There are some key components in cars that you shouldn't cheap out on. I got into a crash with mine a long long time ago and had a shop put it back together. they cut ALOT of corners and set me back by having to do my own repairs after it all, the radiator being one of them. I'm pretty sure they just got a used radiator. It looked fine but slowly leaked right where you said it does on the driver's side by the battery/radiator cap. tossed that one and replaced it with one from advance auto. not a single issue since then.