Replaced cracked radiator. Temperature gauge still shoots up into danger, but I do not believe it is overheating...?

I poured coolant directly into the radiator and the temperature dropped back down to a safe level. It still is not sucking coolant in from the coolant resevoir though. That leads me to believe its the Thermostat? The fans are running (at least when my AC/Heat is running). Or It could also be a clog in the lines due to an air bubble? These are just other suggestions I've read so please feel free to comment again.

I'm sorry. I guess I failed to mention that it was not drawing coolant in.

Sounds like you did not get all the air out of the cooling system when you replaced the radiator.

Final question... HOW do I make sure that there is no air in the system when I replace it? This concept doesn't make sense to me. The radiator came with a brand new cap when I replaced it, so I do not believe that is the issue.

With engine cool. Crank car with radiator cap off. Let it idle and watch for the air bubbles. As coolant level drops add more.

When temp gets high on gauge look at your radiator hoses. Is the top or bottom one collapsed? If so low coolant level in radiator.

If level is correct they should be hard/firm. Not collapsed or spongy feeling.

The hoses are not collapsed. I want to give a better breakdown of what I did from start to finish. Radiator Cracked. Replaced radiator and filled reservoir with fluid. Fluid did not drain and car temp was still too high. Poured coolant directly into the radiator (not the reservoir) and the temperature dropped to acceptable level. I, at this point, cannot determine why my radiator did not original suck the fluid in. My car is at a good temp, but I fear as time goes on and coolant burns up, My reservoir will not refill the radiator and I may start overheating again. From this point, what is my best step? Both lines suggested to look at are not collapsed. When my car is cool, and I run it without the radiator cap on, I see no fluid aside from some residue, and there is no bubbling, nor is there fluid being drawn from the reservoir.

My car specs say my car should hold 7 qts of radiator fluid. I only put 3 quarts into the radiator, and 1 into the reservoir. Therefore, my radiator should still want more fluid, and should want to suck that last quart out of the reservoir, and into the radiator. It is not performing that action.

Sounds like you now have it at the proper level. I would drive normally and keep check on temp gauge and fluid level for a day or two. But I feel you should be fine now.

Oh! So I should fill my reservoir from the radiator cap to max and hopefully it will function properly?

Again, I only put in 4 quarts, but the manual says it has a capacity of 7 quarts. So to function properly, I should put a full 7 quarts in?

No. With radiator full. Then fill resivoir to the proper level. . Make sure both are at the proper level to start with. Your radiator cap will do the work of keeping the two at the correct levels with each other.

When replacing a radiator you only loose the fluid that was in the radiator. Not all the coolant that's in the engine drains out. So your only replacing what was actually lost not the total capacity of coolant.

Hi there, just one suggestion if you still have the problem. I had the same issue in another vehicle brand and tried the same thins then you and nothing worked till I took a look under water pump pulley and I noticed it was leaking a little bit so I replaced water pump, problem solved and everything is working pretty well since then I hope it helps good luck

I have a 1995 Toyota Camry le im having same problem just changed the radiator was wondering if you were able to fix the problem if so what was it