Ok so heres what is happining.

Start up my car. Drive it about 5 mins. Temp gauge finally starts to move. Moves all the way almost to hot. Kicks back down. Back almost to hot. Then stays in the middle. It does this everytime. But. When it acts up. It will run hot. I pull over. Cut my car off. Open the radiator cause theres no pressure. I put half a gallon in. Reserve is full. I think reserve leaks. Leaks cause its not lettin water in the radiator? I duno. Water drips from tail pipe. When in reverse steam comes out tail pipe? I have no idea whats going on? Do yall?

Jesse

 

well some water from the tailpipe is a normal part of combustion. However if it spews white smoke all the time and smells like maple surype you need to look at your oil dipstick as you may have blown head gaskets. If the oil on the dipstick looks like a milkshake then you for sure blew the head gaskets. If not then you have some other kind of leak if you have to add that much coolant all the time.

 

I had to replace the lower radiator hose because the temp gauge would read high and the car seemed bogged down. Turns out there was a small tear in the hose...probably from age. Have an extended warranty on the car, but replaced it with my Dad on the driveway since the hose only cost $13 + tax. You may want to see if you can figure out where it's leaking or at least take it to the dealership (is may be under warranty still??) and at least ask them to diagnose it. You may be just be able to fix it yourself. Best of luck!

 

replace your t-stat. That sounds like a sticky one not opening properly. If it's having to get really hot before it'll get really cool and then do it again, that's the tell tale sign that the T-stat is on it's way to not working at all. Easy change, 5 dollar part, 20 minute job.

Make sure and get the motor up to operating temp after the t-stat install and make sure to top off the cooling system.