I just purchased a 96 turbo. I got the battery issue taken care of now I have a new one. Once the car gets warm it basically immediately jumps to too hot. Shortly after it starts smoking/steaming from the radiator area. I was testing it in my driveway but it was dark out and I didn't have a lot of lights so it was hard to tell exactly where it was coming from, plus a lot was going into my face so it was hard to see. The radiator was still cool to the touch even though it was steaming.

I took it for a ride today. The temp goes up to red then down to the middle area back and forth. The smoking is somewhat constant. Not sure if this makes a difference but it always comes out of the right (passenger) side. I just bought this car so I'd rather not have to buy a new radiator. The over flow tank is full.

 

Sounds like part of the radiator could be clogged. You might try flushing and refilling with new anti freeze.

 

Soounds like you might have a bad thermostat and maybe even a bad fan or relay.

 

replace the thermostat first...

 

I would not drive it until the thermosat is changed. Sounds like it's not opening and closing and getting stuck closed. Stuck open means no heat. Stuck closed means no flow of coolant.