"Are you going to bypass your heater core because the car is overheating? If it overheats that quick you could be looking at a head gasket, if you've already checked all the normal stuff."
I'm figuring either the heater core or the head gasket. I figure I'd try this to mainly rule out one or the other.
"Are your fans still hooked up like they came from the factory?"
Yes, and it works fine.
"Check your fluid level when the car is cool and check your oil level after the car has sat for a while."
I have been using water, but it always stops using it at about halfway down the radiator. Oil level is perfect. Hardly uses any oil at all.
"When your car gets hot and you pop the hood, can you see water spewing from anywhere?"
The only place I've ever noticed water leaking is from the turbo. Not sure if it's from the inlet or outlet.
"If your fans are hot-wired, make sure they are blowing in the right direction."
The fan isn't hot-wired, but it is blowing in the right direction and a good amount of air.
"Why would you suspect your head gasket? Is water blowing out the side of the engine, or does your oil look like a milk shake?"
Basically, I'm trying to narrow everything down. The only two things I can think of are the head gasket and the heater core. The oil looks perfect. No water in the oil or oil in the water. No water blowing out anywhere other than the turbo. By the way, it's not leaking alot of water from the turbo line, either.
"Your T-stat could be sticky or not opening all the way."
As far as I can tell, the thermostat seems fine. I'll change it just for good measure if bypassing the heater core doesn't work.
"Run it with the radiator cap off and see if you get any air bubbles in the coolant - a sign of blown HG."
I didn't see any bubbles when I had the cap off and the car running, but I'll check that again.
"When it hot per the gauge, stick a cooking thermometer in it and see what it really is."
Damn, now I have to go buy a cooking thermometer!
When your temp gauge is pegged, is the oil pressure gauge and fuel gauges also reading higher than normal? That could mean your instrument voltage regulator (IVR) is faulty."
My oil guage always reads high, but only for the first couple minutes of running. Then it comes down as the car warms up and the oil thins out. That's ok, right???
Rick