Weird engine overheating issues

[elcristoff]

Hey all,

was in my car today, in some traffic and my engine just went mental (coolant dial went past the red line and the mfa said that oil temperature was Reading 122 degrees)

My instant thought is that it might be the headgasket (oil and water mixing and making it go nuts) but the engine sounds fine. So I let it settle and started it up with the heaters on, as I heard somewhere that it absorbs heat from the engine, and it worked like a charm. Everything went back to normal. it only seems to happen at idle aswell, as when the car is moving everything seems fine with heaters on or not.

Has anyone got any ideas? Why do I need my heaters on at idle to keep my engine running right?

Thanks,
chris

 

[truCido]

Check your coolant level has it gone down? check inside the oil cap is there any "cream"?

Could possibly be dead water pump

 

[CraigW]

As said above, could be the waterpump.

Also, maybe a long shot, but see if the coolant tank has some sort of split/hole in it. Mine did that a few months back so I had to get a new one and refill the coolant system etc.

 

[elcristoff]

No coolant level is still at the 'max' mark. One of my friends said it could be the impeller in the water pump and I should check my coolant tank for plastic, but I can't see anything...

 

[elcristoff]

Although, if it was a water pump, wouldn't it overheat while I was driving the car? As it's only overheating during idle :S

 

[elcristoff]

Found the problem, the fan sender lead isnt connected, and i cant find the connecting lead anywhere... any ideas?