last night I was highway driving and went to get off the exit ramp and the water temp light came on. I looked at the water temp gauge and the needle was pegged and the gauge was red. I went to the toll and had to sit for a few minutes until I could pull over, but while I was sitting there the temp went down. Odd, I thought. usually when you over heat sitting still is worse due to no air flow. Do you think it was just an air bubble in the hose and when I stopped it popped and flow resumed? I can't imagine what else it could be. It drove fine after and even tried to drive it hard to make it overheat and couldn't. Is there any way of avoiding that? or anything I should do?

 

Probably something funky in your sensor.

 

I dont think it was the sensor as the sensor went off and the temp gauge showed that the car was hot and in the red. If it happens again than either the thermostat is sticking or you have a clog somewhere. Have you done anything to the cooling system that an air bubble would get in there? It probably wouldn't just appear unless the system was opened and air was allowed to get in. The system runs under pressure so my thinking is the thermostat. JMO and I am not a mechanic. If it worries you get a flush and fill and change out the thermostat to 160 degrees.

 

i would guess thermostat is sticking...

 

the only thing I have done is change the ovrflow tank , but that was 4 months ago. I'll see if it happens again and try the thermostat like you guys suggested. thanks

 

I had a similiar problem years ago with an 89 Accord. It was the thermostat. Since replacing one is cheap and easy, I'd do this ASAP...sure beat a blown head gasket or cracked head!