It would have helped if he had coolant in the car.. but anyway. Toped up the coolant and let it warm up. The temp gauge shot straight past "normal" running temp so I shut it down. Now, both of the hoses from the radiator were not hot at all. I assume that this is because the t-stat isn't working so the coolant in the block just sits there. The fan doesn't come on.. because the cold coolant isn't being replaced by the hot coolant from the block right? Is this just the t-stat or could it be something else? He said he had it replaced 2 years ago, but I bet it's possible for it to crap out again.

Also, are headlight motors the same on both sides? His drivers side is making all sorts of nasty noises (more to the story but not now) He found a good deal on a passenger side motor but I am not sure if they are the same for both sides.

 

I'd say just replace the stat, they're not expensive. The temp should rise and then fall once the stat opens.

You said the temp shot straight up, you don't mean right away do you?

 

Yup. gots to be the thermo.

 

Thats what I told him to do. They are NOT easy to get to in the 3.4L engines!!

No, not right away... idling for a few min with a few blips of the throttle. Once it got to operating temp it steadily past it witout hesitation thoguh.