my temp gauge decide to just go all the way past hot today (max) while i was driving back from the freeway. (stopped at greenwood traino for little brother) it clearly wasnt right, as the car felt normal, and had been under very little load, as traffic was pretty heavy.

what would have caused this?

any ideas or solutions would be greatly appreciated
rob

edit: also its been like a top of 16*c today and raining.
i let my car idle in my garage for around ten minutes, just curious to see if it would go down, and after about ten minutes it went down nearly a quarter?

Sorry to state the obvious, but check coolant level? Is it filled properly, including eliminating air pockets? If your model has a breather bung (not sure here, MY99 doesn't have one), open it whilst topping up to eliminate any air pockets. Think it also helps if you are parked slightly uphill.

Maybe also suss out your thermostat for correct function.

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GD's don't have a bleeder on the rad, I would make sure that there is no air locks in the cooling system, sounds like there may be one.
Can you hear any gurgling in your heater?

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F.B. Racing
01 WRX (STI badged)
2010 XR5 Focus
06 Impreza Hatch 2.0i

Yeah, definitely the gauge broken, not the car trying to tell you something is wrong.

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^this.

For your sake, you might be lucky if you didn't cook your HG.

So you said it wasn't rising when your were idling so the fans are still working?

Check obviously coolant levels and for air pockets.

yeah i thought it was just the gauge to start with, but then it came down after idling for a bit - which means something isn't right - thinking maybe an airlock or something? ill have a play with it after uni (took mums golf today lolz) - there was no abnormal noises, engine bay didnt feel any hotter than normal - been pretty busy with assignments, otherwise i would have checked everything as soon as it cooled down.

Doing a head gasket wont make a sound.

May not even feel "hotter than normal"

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Sticking thermostat maybe? Just a thought

Simon

me and mate looked at it tonight, and worked out that the radiator is leaking at the top, mainly on the left end (where its the clamped together)

its not a bad leak, it just seaps slowly,

but means i need a new radiator, any recommendations/good prices?

cheers rob

You can get aftermarket alloy ones, but I've heard mixed things.
Any radiator shop can get you an aftermarket replacement rad plastic/alloy like the original for a good price, I'd say about 250-300 dollars. Much cheaper then genuine.

Thats what I'd go for, or get yours repaired.
Probably be a good idea to get a workshop to look at your car and double check it. At least get it pressure tested, I'd be surprised if a small leak would cause the problem, unless its been leaking for a long time, or its a lot worse under pressure.

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Its just the internet dude, its not real.
F.B. Racing
01 WRX (STI badged)
2010 XR5 Focus
06 Impreza Hatch 2.0i