Overheating problem

I hope this is the correct forum, if not if soemone can direct me to the right one I would apprerciate it. I have a 2001 Tiburon. I havent had any major engine problems. I was driving to work this morning and noticed that my temp guage was rapidly climbing into the red zone. I was also in stop and go traffic. I pulled over and let it cool down for a few minutes. It seemed to happen suddenly, I drove it the night before and it was fine. It seemed to cool as I drove and heated up at lower speeds or at idle. Also when I engaged the heater inside the vehicle and turned on the fan it seemed to go down as well. A broken thermostat? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Could be one of several things. A faulty thermostat could cause it, a coolant leak/low coolant level, clogged overflow hose etc.

I'd first check to see if you can spot any leaks and also check your radiator (when it's cold) to make sure it's full. Check the overflow bottle to make sure it's full too and the hose from it to the radiator to make sure it's not blocked.

When your engine gets hot, the thermostat should open and let the coolant come out of the hot engine. The upper radiator hose should get hot from the heated coolant going back into the radiator. Check that out too.

Hope that helps, and I hope you get it figured out.

Cool. Thanks for the tips!