Thermostat??
 

In the last few weeks I have cracked a radiator and split the top left rad hose. All under normal driving. The radiator was replaced for a spiffy new one but the hoses were not. Now as a result of the hose split I have had top and bottom hoses off the rad replaced

But!

I am still getting little wisps of steam and temp gauge spikes, and the engine does seem hotter than usual when I pop the bonnet. Could this be a thermostat issue??

MORE LIKE HEAD GASKET ON WAY OUT

On what basis?

This morning it was fine. I was wondering if it was just all the splurted coolant burning off...

Personally I would change the stat anyway with the rad and hoses being replaced I did on mine when it happened to me, maybe overkill but for the cost I didnt mind.

Make sure that there is no air in the system as some people have experienced a lot of air in the colland system whilst filling it up.

What are the spikes is this on the dash temp gauge?

Thanks for that Jaytc :)

The spikes were on the dash temp gauge, yes. It happened twice yesterday whilst the engine parts were still soaked in leaked coolant. Now that I have bled the system and topped it up it seems fine. And the engine is dry too.