So I was driving home i heard a squeal like a belt... Simultaneously the temp gauge started to rise. So I pulled over turned car off. Opened hood all looked fine. Started the car squeal was gone. Temp gauge went back to normal and i took back roads home in case i needed to stop again...

What is with this phantom squeal and heat increase?

 

If it were Thermostat related i don't understand where the squeal would come from. From what i know the water pump is chain driven so im not sure what would make the squealing sound there either...

 

So I am going to ignore the squealing for right now as that has not returned. However the temp going up and down seems to still be a problem. Id like to add that it also smells like coolant in the cabin with air/heat on. I also heard a water trickling sound from dash. I have read that it could just need the air to be purged but i am wondering if the heater core is clogged... How would i know which is the culprit?

 

check to see if your fans are coming on. i they aren't coming on then the temperature would start to rise when you are stopped like at a light, and then go back down to normal once the car stars moving above 30mph. if the fans aren't coming on then its could be an easy fix, just replace the electric fan motors or check the fuses first.
As far as the squeal if the belts were wet that could cause them to squeal, or they could be worn out and slipping.

 

So belts look fine and i don't see any leaking that would have caused them to be wet. And the fans look like they are running just fine.

 

Ok I filled the coolant system and bled it as well. It is not overheating now. In my test drive my toes got sprinkled on. The open vent on drivers side kicker panel/side of waterfall/center console seems to have water/coolant in it... an I looking at a heater core or something more simple?

 

So It was the Heater core... I bypassed via two 3/8th inch heater hose adapters and about 3/4 of a foot of heater hose... No more overheating, no more losing coolant. Well and for now no more heat. I need to find a place to get a new heater core that doesn't cost $335.