What's wrong with my car?

[Drez7]

1995 Saturn SL2 165k miles manual

If I leave my car running idle in neutral for 5-10 mins, the coolant temp starts to rise steadily. After a good 10 mins it is about halfway, and if I wait longer it will eventually read about hot on the coolant temperature gauge. My friend's car and mine were both idle for the same amount of time and his stayed low so I figured there must be something wrong with my car as the gauge was high...after I drive it around a bit it will begin to lower though. I'm pretty sure this isn't normal. It's been doing this for a few months now, and I just added some coolant in yesterday because it was low and it's still doing it though. Any suggestions?

[hotwheels68]

check the coolent fan is run, it should run when it gets to about 225/230 in temp. If you turn on the a/c does the fan run if so then you may have a a temp switch out of specs. Good luck

[HeavyJ]

Like hotwheels said, check your cooling fans and fuses/relays for those fans, if working, suspect faulty thermostat or clogged radiator.

[confucious]

chances are its thermostat. its pretty common for them to go especially when you get a good coolant leak and run low a few times

[UncleBob]

your temp gauge should never get past the 1/2 way point. If it does, there's something wrong.

[Drez7]

Strange thing is, once the coolant gauge reads hot it sounds like something turns on (the fan?) and the gauge eventually lowers...but it only lowers once the temp reads on hot, then it eventually gets back to near cold.

[HeavyJ]

If im not mistaken on yours there are 2 fans, make sure both are working, that the radiator is not obstructed with dirt/leaves, etc. when was the last time the coolant was changed, thermastat changed or a new radiator cap installed?