bad thermostat?

[Brett]

Ok, so awhile ago i did a full 60k, in doing so replaced the water pump, all the seals, CPS etc. My radiator had the usual leak at the end tanks. I popped in a radiator from an ATX i had in the garage. I had a small coolant leak so i used some of that pour in sealant stuff, i know its not a miracle in a bottle but it was cheap and worth a try.

The other night my car started blowing cold air, heat needle jumped until coolant got circulating, started blowing heat and the needle dropped. I figured i was just low on coolant even tho my low coolant light wasnt on. I filled the radiator and overflow (overflow was empty radiator wasnt). Immediately after same issue, Id say sticky thermostat BUT, after driving awhile sometimes i'll smell coolant and see smoke coming from under the hood on the passenger side (which makes me think water pump is leaking, yay).

My question is. Even when its not low on coolant is the thermostat the only thing that could cause it to heat up like that? Also before i tear into this pile, is there anywhere i should look first that could be leaking onto something hot enough to create steam that would be easier to check and replace then the waterpump?

thanks much guys,

Brett

 

[rubydist]

low coolant on these engines can make the coolant temp do strange things, so make sure you get it full of coolant and the air out before you decide that the thermostat is bad. often times, the radiator end tanks will leak and can be made better by re-crimping the tanks on.

the coolant crossover tube has a tendency to leak, so it could be that as well as the waterpump itself that is leaking - in either case leaking coolant on the cps is a recipe for a dead car before too long, so I recommend fixing it as soon as you can.

 

[NORMAN]

Check your hoses. Does your cooling fans work?

 

[Brett]

fan does come on and thats usually when it stops blowing cold air and starts blowing hot. thermostat is only 2 years old. cross over tube? Thought that was on the intake? lol where is the coolant cross over tube?

 

[rubydist]

the waterpump is on the front of the engine. the thermostat is on the rear of the engine. the crossover tube connects the 2.