yesterday i was driving home and noticed the temp. needle up in the red. I immediately pulled over and opened the hood to let it cool down. After about 15 minutes. I drove home with the heater on full blast. This managed to keep the needle a little below the half mark on the temperature gauge.

when i got home i popped the hood and looked around just a little bit. a few things I noticed. 1) There was some coolant around the connection from the hose from the spillover tank to the radiator. 2) there was still liquid in the spillover tank 3) a fan was on (trying to cool the engine?)

I asked my dad what may be the problem and he said it could be the thermostat. Now, before I just take it into a shop is there anything I can do myself to either try and diagnose the problem or fix it myself? i'm sort of car savvy. i have replaced a radiator before, but not a thermostat. I'm asking because I don't know if I have enough money right now for the mechanic to fix the problem.

If anyone can give me some help i would GREATLY appreciate it.

thanks

 

Check your Radiator Cap. If it won't hold pressure your car will overheat.
Changing the Thermostat is something you can do yourself.

 

how do i check the radiator cap?

 

I had the same problem in mine. Check the radiator for any possible cracks for water or coolant to leak out.

If you find any put some j/b weld and you should be set.

Also you should keep like a gallon of water in the back of your car incase it starts to overheat again. If it does wait for it to cool off, take off your radiator cap and fill it with the water.

Hope I was some help.

 

replace the cap and the hose that connects the reservoir to the radiator as well as the T-stat

then place a card board box (flattened) under the car after you park and check in a hour for more leaks