Front 60k finished, engine still running very hot

[SHO>*]

No I haven't replaced the sender for the gauge. Running the AC doesn't seem to do anything. I just went out and let her run for a bit and watched the gauge. The temp rose at a pretty normal pace up to about the M. Once it got there though it jumped from M to pegged in about 5 seconds.

 

[SHO_Diehard]

This was previously mentioned, is the thermostat in backwards? There is also the question about the jiggle valve orientation that was just mentioned. I would check both of those points. I would also replace the temp gauge sender as was previously suggested to eliminate that variable.

Is the coolant in the overflow tank siphoning back into the radiator? If it isn't, it will be more difficult to get rid of any air trapped in the cooling system. A bad hose connecting the radiator and overflow tank, or a bad radiator cap, would stop the siphon action.

IIRC, one of my cars did what you are describing after some major cooling system work. I don't remember doing anything special to correct it. I just made sure the overflow tank had coolant, then I drove it around to get it warmed up (not hard driving, and it was not overheating during the drive). When I got back home, I shut it down, no idling. The idea is to push the air in the block to the radiator, and as the engine heats up, the air is forced out the radiator cap. When the engine cools, coolant is pulled back in.

 

[SHOZ123]

A bad radiator cap will not allow pressure to build up or pull coolant back in from the overflow tank on cool down.

 

[SHO>*]

Made what seems to be a breakthrough in this case finally! A friend of mine just stopped by and we were standing around the car discussing the problem. He decided to get down under the car to look around and found a leak I hadn't noticed. I don't know what it's called but it's a small 5x5" radiator looking thing with two hoses connected at the top. It sits pretty much right in front of the starter with two small bolts holding it in place. The fins on it were all glistening with coolant and when you push on it near the top it gushes a bit. I havn't had the chance yet to locate the exact location of the leak but it looks like the problem may have finally been identified!

 

[oh_SHO]

What you described sounds like the power steering cooler...

 

[SWM]

I just found your thread after looking for my 327,214 and 212 codes. I don't have a temp problem but I do have all the same starting issues. Let me know if you have fixed yours. My research is pointing to a wiring harness problem, possibly from years of worn out suspension(I just finished replacing springs struts etc..!..)94ATX 60K cid,cps,iab,starter,alt,battery cables all new, still won't start 2 times in a row.