Overheating problem

[RyanEllis]

The cars over heating in traffic and town driving. Heats all the way up to just before the red but cools down to normal when motorway driving (40+mph) checked coolant was slightly low but ok topped it up but still overheating? Any idea what the problem is

 

[pollyp]

seized thermostat stuck closed,
blockage in any of the cooling system port holes via debris, rust or big clumps of radweld,
hot gases in cooling system from blown HG & emptying coolant expansion tank,
faulty rad fan caused by either bad coolant sensor or wiring, faulty fan wiring or blown fan motor
worn waterpump impeller,
excessive coolant leak

 

[RyanEllis]

seized thermostat stuck closed,
blockage in any of the cooling system port holes via debris, rust or big clumps of radweld,
hot gases in cooling system from blown HG & emptying coolant expansion tank,
faulty rad fan caused by either bad coolant sensor or wiring, faulty fan wiring or blown fan motor
worn waterpump impeller,
excessive coolant leak

just went and checked the expansion tank and all the coolant has emptied but can't see any leak and no pool underneath. Head gasket?

 

[RyanEllis]

Oil is fine though no sludge

just went and checked the expansion tank and all the coolant has emptied but can't see any leak and no pool underneath. Head gasket?

 

[pollyp]

refill the coolant system, bleed all air out by going for drive, check if the coolant tank is bubbling, cooldown.
once cold, refill the rad & tank to max, start car without rad cap, blip the throttle and check if the radiator top bubbles after each blip = HG blowing exhaust into coolant.
if the exhaust also heavily steams/white smoke ploom = HG sucking coolant into exhaust

 

[MicraPRO]

Radweld... I hate that stuff... really hope you sort this!! Been there and done that.

 

[RyanEllis]

Nah no rad weld. The radiator was empty.... So filled it up and seems fune still cant see any leak. Thunking the thermostat is sticking?

 

[skymera]

It's simple enough to change Double check the new one you buy. Euros provided one too small and the car never heated up!