overheating issue's * HELP *

[lemon]

alright guys, i'll do my best to explain this, but im having some overheating issues.
my car while driving will go to normal operating temps and stay there for a while, then out of now where while driving it will shoot up to H and stay there for either a few seconds or 2/3 minutes. today smoke even came out for a few seconds O.o then it went back to normal temps...........its been doing this for a few months now, but for the last month it stopped, and it just now started again within the last few days. my car is like haunted

sooooooooooooo what could be causeing my random overheating issue? Antifreeze is also leaving the system somewhere? im thinking maybe out the overflow hose? i have no idea

[bersh240]

why would you keep driving a car with the temp up so high!!!???

check the normal stufffs for signs of headgasket going bad...

[OutToWinPAHC]

Ehh months

Rent a coolant system test, test system at 1.5 bar, and check for leaks if it doesn't hold. If you loose pressure and cant find an external leak, well then check compression.

If the system holds pressure at 1.5 bar, then do the basics, check fan operation, replace t-stat, replace cap, inspect hose (mainly clamps)

[lemon]

but if it was the head gasket, or compression...why so random? some times it doesn't happen at all? ...im also thinking it may be a air bubble in the system?

[srpowered240sx]

pressure test, if no leaks are present, change thermostat and rad cap. and bleed your system.

[dragonboy240sx]

Sounds like you need a real temp gauge. The stock one only tells you your to hot after the fact.

[lemon]

replaced the cap, soooo far so good, im letting the car cool as i type, then im going to check the fluid levels again
if this fails, im going to put the new thermostate i have in the garage in and see how that goes

[lemon]

it was the thermostat, but now my taillights and dash lights are out :P