From the UK - I have a 93 (L Reg) Vento 1.8 CL petrol Manual transmission (90k gen) - that is overheating and I am not sure why.

When I start the car the heat dial stays at 0 but after five minutes the needles shoots right up to the final notch and the warning light comes on. When I feel the engine it seems no hotter than usual. The coolant and oil are new / checked regularly. I am positive its not a faulty gauge.

The car recently went in for MOT & subsequent brake work and when completed the mechanic mentioned that the heat shield needed replacing and/or botching back on. The loose heatshield has been an ongoing problem for the last 3 years and has never caused the car to overheat which to me suggests it is something else. I have read other forums who said that the heat shiled is actually pretty pointless and to just rip it off.

Any ideas what it could be and possible cost estimates?

Thanks
Kev - Stockport UK

Check the radiator fan. See if it turns on when it heats up. If the fan doesn't come on when the gage jumps up, then it's bad (or has blown it's fuse). If the fan is on, then you must not be circulating coolant. This could be a bad water pump or you could have a bubble in your system and the thermostat isn't opening. Try burping the system. With the engine cooled remove the reservoir cap and squeeze the upper radiator hose a few times and try to force out any bubbles.