My 1997 2.5 started overheating. We got the temp down, but it looks like a stuck thermostat.

I checked and there was basically no radiator fluid. What made me nervous is where did the fluid go? There's no indication of a blown head gasket or fluid in the engine compartment/tray. My wife said she never saw any smoke either.

I refilled the fluid, took it for a drive and everything was fine. My wife drove it all week to work, then it started again. Again, no radiator fluid to be found.

Now I don't have a problem doing the thermostat (I'm actually lying about this part), but my big worry is where did all that radiator fluid go?

So I ask two things:

1. Any ideas on where the radiator fluid went?
2. Any tips on making the thermostat replacement easier?

Any help is appreciated...

 

a bad radiator cap is way more probable than a stuck thermostat.