This first sentence may explain it all but want to make sure. I live here in redding california and today was 113 degrees and 105 yesterday. I drove about 70 miles to go wheelin and on the way up there my thermostat went form normal operating temp to about just less than 3/4 of the way before red. I got to a gas station to get a drink and when i shut off the engine for about 5 min. the temp guage went to just between red and white as pic shows. I understand when the coolant sits in the hot block without being circulated (engine running) it gets quit hotter. the engine itself isnt getting as hot as the temp guage says am i correct. when i start it up and go agian it goes back to normal. Do i have anything to worry about. Its a 3.0 and had headgasket done proffesionally two years ago.

 

Yes. That is not normal. You are definitely over heating.

 

If it wasn't so damn hot, you wouldn't be over heating that bad... Did you have the A/C on??? And if it happens again, crank up the heater. Also, make sure there is no dirt on the fins of the radiator.

 

Brutal... yes not normal. we are having a similar issue. Discussion is here..

http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73326

Temp issues is maddening I tell you because it is a serious of discounting one issue at a time!