the car is now overheating randomly. Out of nowhere the temp raises into the red. Most of the time it runs fine but twice in the last week its done this. What would cause this? A sticky thermostat?!

 

Are you in traffic or at lights?

Do you hear the fans turn on?

 

Both times I was moving 30mph ish. Basically pulling out and within a 1/4 mile overheated. Thought the fans were on but I turned the car off so quick didnt check.

 

So I just scanned the car. No codes as far as the cooling system (if it ever throws any). Just sitting there for a few minutes it almost got to the red line. The computer read 218ish and it kicked the fans on. It got to 220-221 and I figured it was going to keep rising so I shut it down.

I haven't checked the coolant level in a while, but it's been perfect since the new motor went in, I haven't had a reason to.

If it checks out then what next? Thermostat?

thanks
scott

 

The thermostat is very cheap and should be replaced if it hasn't been for a while. It could be other things but i always start at the cheapest and easist things first. Check the coolant to make sure its clean and full. Is there any performance issues?

 

Well the car in general is having "performance" issues. The tranny has a problem NOBODY seems to be able to have a fix for, leaving me with NO performance whatsoever when cold.