Over the weekend, my '90 240 wagon overheated on me after about 30-45 minutes of driving in heavy traffic. The gauge didn't make it to the red area, but pretty darn close (the white line just before, and then backed off a bit). I pulled off the highway (via the shoulder and lots of yelling from the other drivers who thought I was budding in line!) and popped the hood. Found a very small trickle of coolant leaking from where the rad house clamps onto the thermostat housing. No other visable problems. I left the car all weekend parked (had to get a rental as we were on the way to go camping).

Yesterday afternoon we returned to the wagon at the rental agency, and popped the hood. The leak wasn't visable anymore and had dried up so we decided to try driving. Figured we pull over immediately if we had any problems.

On the way home, about 30-45 minutes into the drive and only 2 minutes from home (again, heavy traffic/stop and go lights, etc) the needle began to climb to the halfway point between 9 o'clock and the red area. Luckily I was basically home so pulled into the driveway. Checked the leak, and it was leaking quite a bit more... no squirts, but a stream running out of the hose/housing connection down onto the block.

Could this be caused by a stuck thermostat or worn out hose (at the connection)? Or could it be the sign of something worse like a backed up rad or blockage in the system somewhere? Just wondering if anyone has any ideas or had a similar problem before I flush the system out and replace the thermostat. I was going to do this before winter anyways, so it isn't so bad but would like to know if I should be ordering other parts so they're ready when I have the coolant out.

Thanks!
cton.

90 240 wagon 256,XXX km
88 240 sedan 179,XXX km (RIP)