Hey guys, been getting an overheating problem recently, hoping its not too serious to fix!

Every now and then when i step on the gas the temp gauge shoots up to about 3/4 of the way up and a faint smell wafts into the cabin, oily kind of smell, like something burning for about 2 seconds then after about another 30 seconds of driving the gauge sits back to normal (halfway ). Stumped as to what this is, orginally i thought it was my buggered heater core, got that all fixed thanks to mal last saturday but still happening, put a k&n panel filter in today as well, thought that might have done something but nup, no good.

Could it be linked to a tranny leak? I have a very small leak somewhere, getting that looked at soon.

Hey guys, been getting an overheating problem recently, hoping its not too serious to fix!

Every now and then when i step on the gas the temp gauge shoots up to about 3/4 of the way up and a faint smell wafts into the cabin, oily kind of smell, like something burning for about 2 seconds then after about another 30 seconds of driving the gauge sits back to normal (halfway ). Stumped as to what this is, orginally i thought it was my buggered heater core, got that all fixed thanks to mal last saturday but still happening, put a k&n panel filter in today as well, thought that might have done something but nup, no good.

Could it be linked to a tranny leak? I have a very small leak somewhere, getting that looked at soon.

Have you changed your radiator cap? stupid question, can lead to overheating...

As a quick question,

When was the last time your radiator was flushed?

Its possible its just blocked, needs a good hosing out.

The burning smell, well, that could be the tranny fluid being burnt once everything gets too hot.

Mal replaced the heater core last sat and topped up the coolant, he didnt notice anything wrong with the cap so don't think it's that. Strangely enough this only started happening since i got my car back after the smash repairs, so it could be the tranny fluid being the smell, but what would cause the overheating? Fluid landing on something it shouldnt after it leaks out??

Mal replaced the heater core last sat and topped up the coolant, he didnt notice anything wrong with the cap so don't think it's that. Strangely enough this only started happening since i got my car back after the smash repairs, so it could be the tranny fluid being the smell, but what would cause the overheating? Fluid landing on something it shouldnt after it leaks out??

Nah that couldnt be it mate. I drove my car after it had been in the oven (70deg) for 1hr and it didnt overheat. I'm guessing something mediocre like radiator cap or water pump. Otherwise, I'd get the system flushed to remove any blockages that might be in there somewhere. worst comes to worst, start from scratch, fault finding-start off with new hoses then thermostat,cap,pump,radiator until the problem goes away...

Yeah seems like ill have to go that way, hopefully its not too expensive tired of spending money on things that should have been fixed in the first place.
thanks for the advice guys

Overheating is one of a few issues,

Water pump, or blocked radiator, heater core.

Topping up the fluid isnt as good as a flush, if unsure how to do it - take it to a mechanic and have it flushed properly. It can take a good couple of minutes with a high pressure hose to remove a blockage.

If that doesnt fix it, you're then looking at the water pump (it should be replaced with the timing belt, as they do corrode and wear out, or the bearings sieze).

Yeah seems like ill have to go that way, hopefully its not too expensive tired of spending money on things that should have been fixed in the first place.
thanks for the advice guys

HAH! you're telling ME!!!! I had to replace an engine because of a mechanic buddy...I know all about getting stooged!!!!!

but..but.. im poor.. lol
i hate second hand car dealers, and mechanics (except you mal! :) )
anyhoo, ill get to looking at all the solutions mentioned as soon as i get some money, i believe the water pump has been changed so that couldnt be it, i had a 180k service, major one, sitting on 183k atm

I think the two issues would be un-related.

My car has an oil smell when I boot it, it's oil dripping onto the exhaust manifold, smokes a bit then goes back to normal, check your rocker covers.