First, thanks to all for the help. I know repeated questions sometimes can be frowned upon, but thats what this place is for.

So the leak WAS the thermostat. I've fixed the leak. As for the gasket itself, I foolishly bought the one that was suggested online, implying it was the correct type, but it wasn't. So....I should've known better.

Anywho, now I have the car running and checking the temp gauge (as this was the issue to start with). it's still showing low temp. So I checked the anti-freeze with a thermometer and it was reading 180-189. The thermostat works fine, and the cooling fan (for the radiator) comes on.

I'm guessing that the temp gauge might be bad? Is there a simple test to see if it's bad (other than it not reading above low temp range)? Like, hooking up a live wire to make it show it works?

Can I take the temp gauge from my 93 and swap it in?


Another question...how long should it take a car to reach running temp at idle? Ive been running the car for 10-15 minutes before the thermostat opens. Does that sound about right?

Thanks in advance.
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1985 245. 246K Gone..but not forgotten. Sold in 2013, found 2018! Still running on the road. Of course. 1993 Volvo 850 soon to be gone