overheating, I'm stumped. Options

[6strngs]

so today, I drive my car home from work. get out of the car and notice a strong coolant smell. I let it cool down for a while, then went out to check it. The radiator was still full with coolant, but the overflow tank was kinda low. so I poured some coolant in (pre-mixed 50/50). anyway, so I go to drive the car again and after a short trip, only a couple miles, I'm hearing this weird whining sound. I glance down and see that the water temp gauge is reading HOT! like, it was all the way into the red! I pull into the closest parking spot and shut off the car. I let it sit for about half an hour and decide to drive it back home. I start the car up, and the temp gauge jumps to 1/2 way. normal. and as I start driving, it starts climbing. it gets to about 3/4 of the way to hot and then very suddenly just drops back down to half. then it stays there the rest of the way home. I pull into my garage, and get to work. I tried my best to track down a leak and decided it appeared to be that the hose that feeds coolant to the throttle body was leaking. so I replaced it. so after a couple hours of work (decided to do some other stuff too since I had everything taken off anyway) I go to drive it again and same thing. the temp gauge reads normal, then it will climb in temperature, then drop back down to normal, then climb again, then normal. anybody have any ideas? thermostat? water pump? malfunctioning sensor and/or gauge?

[laff09]

http://www.acdelco.com/html/pi_vehcare_mech.htm

Wasn't what I was looking for, but should do the trick just the same.


Also found something called Moroso Ceramic Seal, which is more expensive (about $20 for a 16oz bottle i believe). Apparently from what I've been reading is the best thing you can use. It seals any leaks, leaving behind a smooth ceramic finish that transfers heat better than say aluminum. Its 18.95 from http://www.performanceunlimited.com/cobrav...ladditives.html .
"The ultimate would have to be Moroso's Ceramic Seal, for racing. Real friendly
to the cooling system and seals up gaps up to 1/4"! Safe for heater cores and
the such, but a bit pricey ($20). It works, and works well. Most of the racers
put it in the block BEFORE the big race, so it will automatically seal any leaks
if they happen during the race. I've used it several times, and found nothing
better for a nearly permanent repair. just dump it in the radiator, run it 24hrs
and dump the coolant. Refill, and all done. "
-Randall J.Thomas
President - A.A.T. Advanced Automotive Technologies Corporation
Owner - Performance Unlimited 4-Wheel & Off-Road Center



Hope this helps.

This post has been edited by laff09: Feb 17, 2007 - 4:43 PM

[Manny]

http://www.acdelco.com/html/pi_vehcare_mech.htm

Wasn't what I was looking for, but should do the trick just the same.


Also found something called Moroso Ceramic Seal, which is more expensive (about $20 for a 16oz bottle i believe). Apparently from what I've been reading is the best thing you can use. It seals any leaks, leaving behind a smooth ceramic finish that transfers heat better than say aluminum. Its 18.95 from http://www.performanceunlimited.com/cobrav...ladditives.html .
"The ultimate would have to be Moroso's Ceramic Seal, for racing. Real friendly
to the cooling system and seals up gaps up to 1/4"! Safe for heater cores and
the such, but a bit pricey ($20). It works, and works well. Most of the racers
put it in the block BEFORE the big race, so it will automatically seal any leaks
if they happen during the race. I've used it several times, and found nothing
better for a nearly permanent repair. just dump it in the radiator, run it 24hrs
and dump the coolant. Refill, and all done. "
-Randall J.Thomas
President - A.A.T. Advanced Automotive Technologies Corporation
Owner - Performance Unlimited 4-Wheel & Off-Road Center



Hope this helps.

Good info!! Thanks for the research....