So my car heated up from 3 bars to 4(AP1) while on a long drive through the desert(AZ to Cali). Added some coolant and temp went back to 3.

This happened several times where it would go up to 4 bars and back to 3, including once where it got to 5 bars.

I found a little leak right by the air intake and replaced the hose which was only like 1"-2" long.
But the problem seems to still be there. It only happens at freeway speeds. It will go to 4bars and then back down to 3 after a minute or two of letting off the throttle a bit.

What can be wrong and how can I check it?

 

If and when you replaced the small piece of hose you were really low on coolant you could have some air in the system. Other than that it could be a number of things.


I would try to bleed it first. Maybe a pressure test after that for other leaks, maybe bad fan switch (if you drive with the A/C on a lot you probably would not know for a while)

 

Ok so first thing will be a bleed. Air in there could cause it to heat Like that?

Is a leak test something I could do? What tools would I need? (I'll be searching for this info as well)

AC is pretty much ALWAYS on. I live in Phoenix. How can I check that?

 

Ur thermostat migh be going bad and sticking. How many miles on the car?

 

88k mi on it. It's a 2001.

 

Any recent work on the car?

 

I did a flush using the instructions from the manual. and replaced the hose directly above the alternator right below the air intake. Its like 1 or 2 inches long.

 

When i drive it i can smell coolant when i get out of the car. Its loosing coolant somehow, somewhere. The overflow went down about 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch. At first i thought the smell of coolant was just coolant that was spilled but i smell it strongly after every time i drive.

 

Can u visibly see the coolant leak?

 

I would pressure test the system by either renting or buying a coolant system pressure tester and look at all the connections to look and hear for leaks. You may be able to rent one from Autozone.