alright so when im driving, the temp gauge will randomly ping up to 260 and the check gauges light comes on, but then after a couple (15 max) seconds, it comes back down to 215-225 (a snitch warmer than what i was normally getting before this started today). Any ideas as far as diagnostics? it runs normally, doesnt feel hotter under the hood, the aux fan works fine... could it be as simple as a broken temp sensor?

any info is appreciated!
o yeah and its a 2000 w/ 140,000mi, stock motor

 

Could be an air bubble. Could be a bad temp sending unit.

Confirm temp with one of those laser pointer heat guns, aim at the tstat housing.

You will want to stay on top of this as I think you have the 0331 head...

 

i do have the 0331 head, and when i wheel and its hot, it gets a nasty miss when the temp hits 235-ish and i get the blinking CEL...so im leaning towards the sending unit

 

Don't lean towards anything unless you are OK replacing that head.

Confirm temp.

 

burped it and topped it off and no issues since

 

Why did it need burped, tho?

Coolant doesnt typically disappear...

 

great follow up question! im doing an oil change tonight and heres to hoping it isnt in their!

 

:fingers crossed:

 

Ditto. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

theres nothing on the dipstick...i hope its a bad cap or something dumb like that

 

clean oil...phew

anybody know how much it should cost me to get my trans fluid cleaned?

 

Down here its 14bucks for the filter and the AW4 takes 4 quarts to fill @3 bucks a quart of Mercron/Dextron III.