Overheating Engine

[Tobyman]

I have a Ford sierra with 2 litre petrol "Pinto" engine. I recently drove a 200 mile journey, mostly on motormays. during the return journey I noticed that the temp guage was very high, not into the red but very high in the "NORM" part. This only seemed to happen when driving at speed. when I was stuck in a couple of jams on the motorway the guage stayed around the middle, It was however a very hot day. Please, does anyone know why this could be. The water levels were ok during the entire journey, despite a tiny radiator leek.

[Davethedog]

Don't know the car but it sounds as though it could be the fan or fan belt.

[Tobyman]

thanks for the answers, the car is an F reg, so fairly old, and has done 130,000 miles

[jake-the-peg]

Ah more details :c)

There are a number of reasons cars can overheat but if you're sure you're not loosing coolant we can probably ignore leaks from pipes and radiators and probably head gasket failure (I presume there's no white "smoke" from the exhaust or excessive white gunge in the oil filler cap.

It could be the fan but I suspect more likely is that the coolant system and with age has got a bit gunked up - especially the radiator.

Probably needs flushing
http://www.popularmec...o/maintenance/1272246

If this doesn't work I'd suspect a water pump on it's last legs

[Tobyman]

thanks again for your answers

[AlBags]

OHC Sierra rads run on the edge by design. Small core.
I don't think yours has a viscous fan (if it does, the viscous coupling can give this trouble)
Check out the rad first.