just drove for about 5 to 10 mins going 25mph and the temp gauge went above the normal, it didn't over heated because i got to my destination and killed the engine right away but this is the first time it happened. my coolant is full, a/c or fan is off and it's not that hot outside san diego. what 'can' be the problem here? thanks

 

You may have a bad thermostat

 

How much above normal? ...the top white line, in to the red, what?

Just pulling the car over and shutting the engine off isn't good since the temp will spike after shutdown. Turn the heater on with the fans on "HI" and then pull over. Open the hood and then shut off the engine leaving the fan on "HI".

 

its almost at the top white line.

goracer: thanks i will do that in a bit. is this the same procedure i have to do in case this happens on the freeway? i never had a car overheated on me before, what should i do when my car goes HOT on the freeway? will this affect my engine's health?

 

If that needle on the factory water temp gauge even MOVES at all you are at least 115C minimum.

Don't ask how I know

 

You need to find the cause "immediately"! Do not drive it unless you can't afford to tow it and you are only going strait to the race shop. You may have to replace thermostat, all water hoses, coolant, water pump, etc but this is way cheaper then a rebuild. Have the coolant system pressure checked and do NOT let the mechanic overheat the engine! ...watch him. Otherwise you will be attending o-ring failure anonomous meetings.

You can check for champagne sized bubbles in the filler neck. To bleed air out, run engine at idle and hold hose up that is attached to throttle body.