Engine temperature gauge off the scale

monaymadlol

Hi just drove on motorway and engine temperature warning came up and beeped. I'm not near home and garages close early. What shall I do/check when I make the 35 min drive home in an hour? Or shall I call breakdown recovery? Blowers are blowing cold, so not sure if a sensor issue as a while back the gauge was normal but the outside temperature kept reading - 38. It's a petrol fiesta.

The_Rainmaker

Get some water into the system and try and carry some spare.  If you haven't got any or can't get any call the breakdown folk.

monaymadlol

I've got 500 ml bottles water, shall I put into coolant tank?

facade

Check the coolant level, and for leaks. If it is an ecoboost and that warning comes on, it is on the verge of needing a new engine if you don't stop immediately. (Well any engine will be really, but the ecoboosts are well known for this)

If the coolant level is fine, and the light isn't on, try driving it, but if the light comes on again stop and call your breakdown provider.

The heater blowing cold, when on cold, means nothing as it simply doesn't blow air through the heated core.

monaymadlol

Engine temperature is off the scale hot I meant.Its not an eco boost, but an 13 year old petrol. Will check coolant now. 

monaymadlol

Coolant looks low/empty. Must be leak? Going to top up with water abs then buy anti freeze later. Can I just put anti freeze in later with the water? May not be able to get to garage til thu, is this OK if I keep topping up?

Scrapit

Maybe your water pump is giving up. 

macman

I think anti-freeze is the least of your problems...

molerat

I wouldn't bother with antifreeze, just top it up with water and see how it goes, run it for a while and look for any leaks.  Keep the bottles and fill them up with tap water and keep in the boot for your journey.  If you see the gauge rise much above normal then stop for a while, let it cool and check the level.

facade

Fiestas blow water out of the header tank, it distorts and cracks over time, so common that motor factors sell new ones for about £15.   Loads on eBay for £10+

monaymadlol

I've added around 2 litres water, bringing it to just over minimum level. Temperature back to normal now. Have already bought ready mixed coolant, but haven't used it yet. Will see how it goes.

Header tank? Cracks? What's that?

Do I look for leaks under bonnet or just monitor levels in the tank?