Temperature Gauge

Escort ZX2 199 Last 3 days noticed a pinging behind radio/airconditioner panel. Watch Temp Gauge all the time. Today, it suddenly rises to 3/4 towards H. Check coolant level close to the correct mark. Add H20 to bring it up to correct mark. Hot weather right now. Start car and it hits the 3/4 mark on temp gauge fairly quickly. Also notice when shut car off it sounds like a dying fan sound. Manual stated it was a coolant problem, but could it be something else. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks so much!

My Escort 94 had a strange noise coming from behind the radio/ac panel too. A couple of days later check the noise and it was the hose that goes to the heater behind the panel ..it was cracked and water was pouring into the car( not much tough) ..my car also get to 3/4 on the gauge but i looped the hose and put a valve in the loop and i was set to go. The gauge still goes up to the 3/4 mark ...but i think i need a new radiator. but the noise from the panel went away with the quick fix i did.