I've been having problems with overheating at idle and sometimes even while driving at highway speeds. The engine heats up very quickly after being turned on but the gauge stays horizontal. The fans kick in and the lower hose is very hot. I've replaced the reservoir and the radiator cap and have yet to test it with the new cap, but before replacing it, coolant would spill out of the reservoir cap while driving, and once the car cooled down the reservoir would be empty.

There are no obvious signs of a blown gasket and a pressure test of each spark plug socket produced normal results across the cylinders. However, when the radiator cap is off and the car is started, coolant can be seen flowing past the radiator opening, like a river. No bubbles, just a constant flow.

At this point, I can only assume that this is normal (I was told it was not) or that the problem is a bad or improperly installed thermostat or that there is a blown gasket despite no signs of one.

Any thoughts on what would cause the coolant river, the reservoir pissing all over the place, and the quickly heating up/overheating after driving?

Edit: I assume also that I could probably use a new reservoir cap. The "seal" inside looks like an old crumpled up rag. From what I'm told, however, the reservoir on this model is not pressurized.

 

Air in the system

 

This.

 

probably a blown head gasket releasing exhaust gases into the system. your oil may look fine, but it dosnt take much of a leak to produce this effect.

 

We can make a friendly bet. this guy bleeds the system and posts his results.

If bleeding the system fixes his issue you never post in here again.

If it doesn't you still never post in here

 

Blown head gasket, I had the same issue, I replaced the cap, the hoses the radiator and I flushed the coolant and it was still the same, so just change your head gasket and try to avoid starting the car, because it will just warp the head a lot

 

Overheating warps heads, not starting the car. If it doesn't overheat it can't warp.

 

wait, this is spark plug socket kid. . .

Dude, do you have any automotive knowledge at all? Serious question, not trolling.

 

LMFAO!!! ^^^^^^

 

And if i win, do i get to douche out your asshole? I HATE VADRIVEN!!!!