do i have a problem
 

I recently got a 1990 RS turbo, everything performs fine temperature gauge shows normal. water levels fine. performance excellent, no smoke from exhaust, I have notest that the engine is extremely hot after a few miles, I bought the car some 240 miles away and drove it back and it didn't miss a beat and last week went to santa pod in it and again drove fine all gauges showing fine. the engine gets so hot i could cook a BBQ on it. Do i have a problem or am i worrying over nothing Your thoughts would be much appreciated. cheers

After a good thrash my turbo used to go translucent I could see the prop lol I'd say if you've done that mileage and it hasn't over heated thier can't be much wrong we are having some hot weather too are your fans kicking in and out?
If it hasn't already go alloy rad and intercooler help keep temps down and perform even better

If there was an overheating problem it would have boiled over and performance would be affected. It was a really hot day at Classic Ford and most engines will seem hotter than normal. My Saff engine was hot but it was running ok.
When you stop how long do the fans keep running to bring the temperature down again?

Fans go off when the ignition is switched off they don't keep running it has 2 fans on this rs escort

Get a pyrometer and check the temp of the outside of the water tank OR run an after market gauge briefly with correct sender and see what it is at, as long as the water is not boiling over I expect you are fine and you are just seeing the heat of the turbo.

My 20 Valve turbo on my old golf mk 1 used to glow red hot and looked almost white hot after a big blast.

On saturday run it 5 miles lifted the bonnet and the heat from it was tremendous.

This again points to there being nothing to worry about, if it was overheating the fans which are controlled by a thermostat would keep running for a fair while after you switch off the engine and they would be running constantly when you are driving.
I am wondering if you have owned a turbo charged engined car before? If this is your first one it will seem to be a lot hotter than a non turbo engine.If you have it on a rolling road you will see the turbo and exhaust manifold red or even white hot during a full power run. I think it is running as it should be and you will get used to how hot it seems.

My thoughts to as it is quite alarming how the heat difference is lol

Yes you are right it is my first turbo, Looking at replies i don't think i have anything to worry about. thank you for your input

Just take the bonnet off.

To be honest though I think the heat under my cossie is bloody hot compared to my other cars.

When I've been out in my cossie and I put it back in the garage I always open the bonnet to let the hot air out.

Same here with mine mate, puts out some mega heat after a run!!