My temp gauge has been jumpin all over the place the past two weeks or so...my radiator is leaking though its cool so if it runs low on water it doesnt get too hot but i just installed a new 3 pc air dam and everything should be fine....the temp gauge will shoot up really quick almost into the red then all the sudden plummit down to 200 F and im like WTF is going on???

The only thing i can think of is i have a 160* therm and they say that during cool or cold days it can cause the temp sensors to act a bit funny but its warmed up a few days then gotten cool again and it still does what it does..? any ideas?

Also is a tranny cooler necessary for automatic transmissions....is it like just a good idea for extra cooling or is it something necessary? Could i just get a new radiator and then get a trans cooler later?

thx for readin

 

The temp guage will act erratic if the system is low, not holding pressure or there is trapped air in it. The trans cooler is a must or you will learn a very expensive lesson. If the plastic side tank is cracked which is very common you can have the rad serviced, they are replaceable. You can buy the tanks thru AC Delco for about $35. A decent rad shop will probably replace the tank and flush and service it for less than $80, much less than a replacement. A tip about those chain store lifetime el-cheapo units, don't be suprised if you have to replace them in short order. They are not up to the quality of the AC Delco replacements.