Hi for a couple of weeks i have noticed the fan on my car is really loud when the car has turned off. Yesterday i noticed when i was stuck in traffic the high engine temp warning light came on. Today when i drove the car the temp gauge is in the red, but when driven on the motorway at 70 the car is fine. Any idea what the problem could be?

Thanks

 

Assuming you have checked the obvious coolant is ok?

If so then it could be a few things from a thermostat to a faulty water pump.

If it gets to hot it will activate a clever overheating strategy, and as a result you will notice a decrease in performance.

Martin

 

Thanks for your reply Martin. I have no idea what the coolant is? And if it is the thermostat or the water pump, is this an expensive job?
Thanks

 

Coolant is the mixture of water/antifreeze, which as the name suggests cools the engine, if you open the bonnet you will see a see through tank on the right hand side (Drivers side) of the engine bay. The level should be up to the max mark, which is printed on the front of it?

Worst case if it's the pump, is the labour (If you aren't doing it yourself) the pumps have plastic impellers can break, although it shouldn't be a particularly difficult job.

Martin