overheat then cooling, then overheating

[98hatchlover]

So I was driving today and noticed that my temp gauge was going up. Normally, it stays at the halfway mark. Today it would rise almost to hot, and then drop back down. It kept doing that for the few hours I drove. Then, sometimes i would smell oil, and other times anti-freeze. I have been out of the country for the past few weeks, so the car hasn't been driven until now. Could that just be the issue, or could it be a blown head gasket? Please help and thanks.

 

[RonJ]

Have you checked whether the radiator and reservoir are low on coolant?

 

[Williams2177]

As a precaution I would change your thermostat, it might be sticking. Its 20-30 dollar part(get the thermostat that will stick open if it were to go bad). Go on youtube and you will find plenty of videos on replacing thermostats.