Engine temperature

[EllyFitz]

I've got a Vauxhall Corsa and whenever I'm sat in traffic the temp gauge starts to creep up. It's never got to the red because I turn my heater on and it stays where it is or the traffic starts to move. As soon as I drive again it goes right down, I've got plenty of coolant. Does anyone know what this might be please? And is it expensive to fix?!

Thanks

[xud]

This is normal. Your car will have a fan either in front or behind the radiator in addition to your heater fan. When you are sat in traffic it will cut in and out to keep the coolant temp relatively constant. If it starts going into the red then either the fan or the thermostatic switch (usually screwed into side of radiator) will be at fault.
I once owned a Laguna with constant overheating problems.

[EllyFitz]

Great, thank you - that's put my mind at rest a bit, I'll keep an eye on it.

[woodchopper]

I've had 4 Corsas and everyone of them done exactly the same - until one day on the last one the gauge wouldn't go down when i was driving along on a fairly cold day indicating the thermostat had stuck closed giving the high temperature. If yours is one of the older ones that has a timing belt and the mileage reaches around 80,000 when its due its second belt change I would suggest changing the thermostat at the same time - only costs a few extra pounds. The themostat sits in behind the timing belt.

[woodchopper]

forgot to add - don't worry about it until the needle stays in the red and won't go down - but on these cars its advisable to keep an eye on the coolant level anyway.

[david1702198]

most cars will overheat when still in traffic. cars rely on you driving to push cold air through the grill to help cool the engine.