what should this car run at as far as temp? my temp gauge goes pretty close to 280 at times..other times it will run right in the middle..had water pump replaced due to leakage still doing it..maybe change out the t-stat..had coolant flushed as well..

 

If the engine was running at 280 it would have blown something out by now. Are the fans working when the temp reaches up around 220-230? Also, make sure all air is purged out of the cooling system.

 

it dosnt run that high all the time..its just random..it did it before the water pump was put on as well..just wondering if i got a sticky t-stat

 

Your temp gage is probably acting up. At 280 degrees the cooling system is not going to hold, I am talking about the radiator boiling over, tanks blowing off the end of the radiator, or hoses bursting.

 

should change thermostate when changing water pump or when changing coolant.