Radiator Issue

[franchise23cc]

My celica (92) has been running perfectly for the past 6 months. Oil changes or time brakes just changed very well taken care of as are all my cars. Not even driven hard (wife drives it to and from work which is very close and to the store and such. It only has about 130,000 miles on the car.

Earlier today when he pulled in the radiator had a slight hiss sound coming from about the top with some hot air flowing out with some presuure behind it. I let it cool down made sure the coolant was full (it had gotten a little low but engine temp was normal). She just went to the gym and on the way there the engine temp rose alot (up to the red) and it started smoking (not a ton but a good amount). Im not sure where to check first. Shes at the gym and I havent gone to check the car yet. She pulled over right away into a safeway parking lot and I'll be taking a look once she finished and I go to pick her up.

Anyone have the same thing happen and what should I check first?

I picked it up and drove it home about 5 minutes and it has perfectly fine the whole way home. Temp stayed normal and no smoke at all. I pulled in at home and let it sit a minute idling and after maybe a minute maybe a little longer the temp rose (not to hot) but a good amount maybe 3/4 way and it smoked just a little bit.

Anyone got any ideas?Could it be the fan not turning on the right time? Im going to check in the morning to see if it comes on or not

[PittsburghCeli]

Bad thermostat. If you have a leak in the plastic part then the radiator will need replaced.