Intermittent overheating
 

I have noticed that my car will sometimes get close to overheating. It doesn't do it all the time but when it does, it gets to the second to last hash and then it will cool down. If I come to a stop it will cool down as well. Does any one know what this might be? I'm thinking its either the thermostat, coolant temperature sensor, or the heating core. But I need some more help.

I'd replace the thermostat first. It's most likely your problem. It gets stuck closed and "almost overheats".

Do you notice it seems to rise when at a stop light? Could just be low on coolant or have air pockets.

The car won't rise at stop lights. It will only cool down at stop lights. I'll let the car idle for 30 minutes and the temp gauge on the car stayed at a normal level.

I checked my coolant tank and its pretty much full.

Test the sensor for the ect to dash cluster. Or could also be thermostat as previously mentioned.

How wud u do that? I'm not electrical savvy at all

You will need a digital or analog multi-meter and Google what the factory service manual says the acceptable resistance range is . Then pull the sensor in question hook one small wire to each pin on the sensor and hook your positive and negative from the multi meter then turn it to 20 ohms and drop the sensor in a pot of hot water on the stove , check that resistance is within spec.

Check thermo or your hoses possibly have a collapsed hose. You sometimes wouldn't notice the hose collapsed until it reaches high temps. It would look really stretchy or soft in one or certain areas and bend causing you to overheat at times.

Thanks. I'm taking it in tomorrow to get the thermo checked out. I also have coolant residue leaking from the EGR and the elbow hose as well. Which makes me think that I need to replace those hoses and the EGR.