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Question:

Overheating problems... radiator? thermostat? water pump? head gasket?

I've never had overheating problems before, (although the heating itself never worked great) but today the gauge suddenly spiked while driving at about 50mph. I pulled over and steam was coming off the engine and the cooland tank was bubbling. The coolant was low, but not empty. I put some water in the coolant tank, let the engine cool and drove to a gas station where I got some coolant which I mixed with the water in the coolant tank. That didn't seem to help any. Even after letting the engine cool completely, it spikes after less than five minutes of driving. The radiator and both top and bottom hoses are equally hot. When I tried to start the engine with the radiator cap off, cooland shoots up out the top. The fans are working propely and there is no debris on the front of the radiator. So I'm sort of at a loss. Also, I've had some trouble starting since the problem.

Answer:

You need head gaskets. Compression from the cylinders is getting into the cooling system.
that its having trouble starting isnt a good sign suggests the gasket or head are done for as for the original issue could be the thermostat, water pump, blockage of some other sort anyway - if its a cheap car time to search out a replacement if its worth some bucks best visit a mechanic
could be several things always check the simple things first thermostat and cap the water pump will not always leak if it is bad if you dont see it leaking grab the fan or the pulley on the pump and try to move it if you get any movement it is bad check the oil see if it is brown and milkey looking if it is then it is your head gasket this will also make it hard to start check the plugs to see if they are wet if so there is water in the cylinder which means head gasket and always have the head checked for cracks or being warped a machine shop can do that for you
Hi so your issue is most likely the radiator cap as well over time the spring in the lid of the cap which retains pressure becomes weak over time.

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