temp issue

[ciera95]

hi all im new here and got a question and hoping it isnt going to be bad reply. just picked up a 1995 olds ciera with a 3.1 and 4 speed auto trans .. got 73000 on it .. had an unusal prob this moring on the way to work about a 20 mile drive one way.... i let the car warm up for about 10 min. and noticed that my temp gauge was up about half way. i goosed it acouple of times and it would go down but come right back up to about that point... got to work ok but looked at it and noticed that the overflow tank was empty .. put a gal of coolant in it and it did it again for about 2 miles then seemed to go back to nomal temp and stay there ... was it the thermostat sticking ? or something else going on ... hope i didnt get a bad deal only paid $2500 for it and had to put front rotors and pads in it already hoping its not a $$$ pit cant afford that ... thanks for all replys and ideas.... paul ciera95

[geoffinbc]

Na thats normal. Keep an eye on the level. It may fluctuate until all the air bubbles are out. If you always have to fill it up then find out where it is going. Finding leaks is a good sign because they can be fixed. If not I bet the coolant is in the oil. In that case the LIM is going to need a gasket replacement.

[ciera95]

temp issue

ok will do... i was starting to wonder if there was aleak i wasnt seeing ... with everything being so tight under there its hard for me to see it all.. thanks ... could you tell me where in the world the thermostat is located on that motor... been a long time since ive been in agarage and i dont have techs to talk with anymore like i used to... thanks ..paul ciera95

[bszopi]

Its located directly under the throttle body.