mjbkites

thanks for the reply, i am damn sure its not a head problem as there are no other tell tale signs like you expect. the cars been maintained from fords since new and only covered 72k and the temp gauge doesn't move sitting still its only when you have sat in traffic and then drive again it seems to be a problem. heater is blasting out hot air,no white smoke, no milky residue in engine oil. think i will change the stat and see if that cures it any one else?

Hi guys just got myself a lovely clean 2001 2.3 ghia and everything is fine apart form one issue. I was sat in traffic and the car (temp gauge) never came above 90 the fan kicked in as expected and then we started to move. around 1/2 mile later down the road the STOP check coolant light came up and the gauge was up in the red I stopped allowed it to cool a bit and checked the coolant it was over full i cracked the expansion tank and allowed some of this to drain out. I have managed to recreate the same fault by sitting on the drive allowing the fan to kick in and then drive round the block - this time however i was ready for it and put the heaters on full to assist with cooling this took the gauge down and helped regulate the temp. any help would be very helpful. Oh to add on a long run the gauge does not move and car runs fine. by the way the water was not overheating as when i cracked open the expansion take there was no mount Vesuvius awaiting me! I think it may be the thermostat but just seeing what others think here before doing this