In the last few weeks I have cracked a radiator and split the top left rad hose. All under normal driving. The radiator was replaced for a spiffy new one but the hoses were not. Now as a result of the hose split I have had top and bottom hoses off the rad replaced

But!

I am still getting little wisps of steam and temp gauge spikes, and the engine does seem hotter than usual when I pop the bonnet. Could this be a thermostat issue??

 

MORE LIKE HEAD GASKET ON WAY OUT

 

On what basis?

This morning it was fine. I was wondering if it was just all the splurted coolant burning off...

 

Personally I would change the stat anyway with the rad and hoses being replaced I did on mine when it happened to me, maybe overkill but for the cost I didnt mind.

Make sure that there is no air in the system as some people have experienced a lot of air in the colland system whilst filling it up.

What are the spikes is this on the dash temp gauge?

 

Thanks for that Jaytc

The spikes were on the dash temp gauge, yes. It happened twice yesterday whilst the engine parts were still soaked in leaked coolant. Now that I have bled the system and topped it up it seems fine. And the engine is dry too.