Overheating! Help!!

[heidijwx]

Hi all. I have an 02 plate Peugeot 206. I have had no problems since buying it 2 years ago. I have used it for long and short trips. Recently When I have wanted to make a 36 mile journey it has let me get roughly half way before flashing 'STOP.' When it flashes stop the temperature gage goes right up into the red. When I have stopped I have to wait between 20mins - half an hour for the temp to go back down to 70. Whilst driving the temp does not move from the bottom unless it flashes STOP then it rises right up. When I have stopped and I try to switch the engine on, if I have not left it for long enough the temp stays up and the revs go right round to 4 without me touching anything. I then switch it back off and wait longer. When I have switched the engine off there is a very loud fan which does not switch off until a good 15 mins after removing the keys from the ignition. Please could someone help???

[GrandadMonkey]

Have you checked your coolant level? When did you last top it up? Which engine do you have? How many miles has the car done? Has the timing belt ever been renewed? If yes, was the water pump renewed at the same time?

[heidijwx]

Coolant level is fine, topped up recently - engine is 1.1 roughly 63,000 miles. not had a new cambelt in the time ive had it, have no info on the water pump. thanks x

[GrandadMonkey]

So it has coolant in it, and the fan is working. Could be a furred up radiator, worn out water pump, sticking thermostat. If it is going 18 miles before it comes up STOP I'd suspect either radiator or water pump. A furred up radiator impedes coolant flow, whereas a corroded water pump impeller reduces the effectiveness of the pump and slows the flow.

The cambelt is overdue for renewal so I'd get that done and renew the water pump at the same time. Backflush the cooling system while you're at it and refill with fresh anti-freeze coolant mix. If then you do still have problems the radiator is probably badly furred up.

Get it sorted otherwise you risk blowing the cylinder head gasket.

[heidijwx]

that sounds pricey right? thanks for your help

[gazza82]

Try a new thermostat sender first ...

I had this twice on our HDi .. randomly went into the red with the engine hot or cold! ... and a new sender sorted it. If you are quick, you can unscrew the old one and replace the new one without draining down the system although you will lose a bit of fluid so catch it or lay old towels under the thermostat housing to soak it up.

Or do it properly and drain it down and refill with new coolant .. and GM is right, and new cambelt and waterpump is likely to be needed anyway! I'd never leave any car 80000 miles for a new one ...

[tenpole]

On an 02 plate this might be a throw-away car for any expensive repairs. I would just change the thermostat first myself, also gets you a look to see if there could be a lime-scale problem. Also you mentioned the temp gauge goes up, is the engine hot as in cooking which may be hard to tell if you dont know how to tell.

[GrandadMonkey]

If it was the thermostat I don't think it would do 18 miles before overheating.

[heidijwx]

Hi all. I have replaced my cambelt and water pump. I took the car on the same journey. And at the same point it told me to stop, but this time the temp gage did not go right up, and it let me move off again after 5 mins. Previously i had to wait 20 mins and the temp gage would be at the max. Does anyone have an ideas? Thanks.

[gazza82]

Try a new temperature sender.

[tenpole]

Did you replace the thermostat?

I know what Grandad said but for the cost why not change it or even test it.

[GrandadMonkey]

Did you check the radiator flow? Probably furred up.