Hi guys,

My girlfriend bought a small Clio a few weeks ago and today was the first time I was in it when I noticed the temperature guage was at its limit but the coolant light was not on. When we got to where we were going and it had cooled down again, I started having a look round to see what the problem was.

I started the engine and the coolant level is perfect, waited for the heater matrix pipes to heat up and they did. Waited with my hand on the top inlet radiator hose for the thermostat to open, which it did. I felt the radiator get warm quickly but the bottom return hose was still cold. It did begin to get warm-ish but I would have thought it would have gotten hotter a lot quicker but as it was soo cold outside it didnt overheat, it is only when it is being driven.

My thoughts is that there is either a block at the bottom of the radiator or the water pump is on its way out. Can anyone help me as I want to try and get this fixed tomorrow if I can, just would like some other opinions on this.

Cheers Mark

Probably going to be one or the other.... Has the radiator got a pressure cap on top? If the core is blocked and you take off the top pressure release cap and run the engine the pump (if working) is going to blast the coolant out of the top of the radiator. If the pump is knackered it isn't....
Otherwise the easiest way will be to whip off the hoses, drain the coolant, stick a garden hose in the top hose and see how quickly it comes through. If its quick enough then it's the pump....

My little pug 106 is prone to getting hot occasionally. Just needs water topping up to sort it. I often hear water sloshing around inside the car too, maybe an air lock in the system, water sound could be from the heater matrix (at a guess).

Might not be same as yours but worth checking water levels and coolant strength. Dont some little french cars have pressurised systems and prone to air locking? Not sure what the recommend filling procedure is.