Alright...this morning I left early for school. It was still nice out with a decent chill. My car heated up to normal operating temperature and then it kept going...My indicator light didn't come on telling me to add coolant...but I don't trust those lights! It seemed to be very random so I can't figure it out. It would heat up and then cool down, heat up and then cool down.

I can still hear my fan coming on when I downshift or start in first. The fan doesn't freewheel so I know it still good...plus it doesn't wobble. I would assume that if it were the Thermostat the car would heat up and NOT cool down...Is there something else or should I just replace the Thermostat and see what happens?!

 

I say do the thermostat and see what happens. also make sure you dont have any air bubbles in the system. Just because the T-stadt didn't fully fail (stayed close or open) doesn't mean it's any good.

 

Yeah...I figured...I don't know if I have any bubbles...I know that my upper cap leaks a bit...It fizzes when hot.

 

Also, what is the deal with the upper cap? The one above the water pump?! What is it's purpose?!

 

It's the high point of your coolant system- think about it...

How old is your t-stat and water pump?

 

I am assuming old...However...I opened it up...both the Radiator and the high point cap(I'll call it for now...) and ran the car...once the T-stat opened the coolant disappeared...So, while it was running I topped it off...it stayed at normal operating Temp...So I think that it is okay...it was just very low on fluid and my light wasn't coming on...