My wife recently noticed that the car seems to get hot when in traffic and I have noticed that the temp gauge is going past half way without the fan kicking in, when its this hot there is a funny smell like burning water.

Its only when the temp gauge gets to the bar before max that the fan kicks in.

The car has done 69,000 miles and is a 1.6 petrol on an s reg.

Just wondered if it was a fan relay or something else.

Thanks

Wouldn,t be the fan relay because the fan is working.Try replacing the temp sender switch.

Could be the temp sender, the thermostat is sticking or the water pump is failing.

You seem to have water flow, but its at the wrong rate.

:iagree:

I'd go for the sender first, then the thermostat, and if I had to do the water pump, it's new cambelt time!