Hi, I was driving to work this morning this morning, I noticed the heater wasn't working, b*gger, something else to fix, my commute is about 30 miles, along dual carridge ways and motorways mostly, then when I got about 25 miles in, the temperature gauge spiked into the red and the warning light came on. it cooled down again as I was standing in traffic.

The car is a 2001 SDi combi. Any thoughts as to what this may be?

I don't drive fast, well it is the SDi so that's not really possible, any ideas what to check?

Thanks for your help

Water pump maybe ? whatever it is I wouldn't drive it anymore until you have diagnosed it, if it overheats then it will probably kill it, Diesels don't like heat, and if its the water pump it could sieze and snap the cambelt - wrecked engine. I suggest you get it towed to a garage

Thanks for the prompt reply , sounds like it could be expensive

If you haven't done so get your head under the bonnet.

Is there any water in the coolant header tank? The max/min levels are marked. More than that, is there any water in the entire cooling system?

These cars can suffer leaks from the radiator or around the temp sensor attached to the radiator. As well as any leaks possible in rubber hoses on older cars (generalisation...).

J.

This sounds like you have run out of coolant, had this before on other cars. If it is top it up and the get it up to normal temp again then stop open the bonnet abd seeif you see any leaks or steam. then fix/get fixed whatever is wrong.

TWO things to look out for on a drive. 1) -Temp guage going up .2) Heater getting colder. Both indicate loss of water in cooling systm .

Thanks guys for all your replies, found the fault, the water pump is knackered, fortunately I have an excellent Dad who is a dab hand at all things mechanical and have sourced a part from GSF in Derby for £23.40, so getting it swapped out.