Adding coolant to 1998 Peugeot 306 diesel - typical woman!?

Q: I have a 306 diesel, S reg. I regularly get it serviced but after a couple of months if I'm stuck in traffic the car overheats. I have managed to pull over when it happens and switch the engine off and let it cool down so I've been ok. As I said it's ok at first, after a service and if I'm stuck in traffic I hear the fan come on and the temp stays around 90, no probs with it overheating. It's been 3 months since my last service and it's started doing it again - today. I don't hear the fan come on and the temp just keeps climbing and that's when I have to pull over and let it cool down. This only happens when stuck in traffic, or stationary, as soon as I get up to a speed of about 30mph it obviously cools back down and sits at about a temp of 80. I've been told that I could be leaking coolant but I've no idea where to check for this or how to top it up - my husband normally does all of this. I've been also told that 306's are particularly bad on coolant. Can someone help me please? Wow, thanks very much!! A typical woman? I think not! Thanks for your advice :)

A: There are a few things this could be but I would start with checking the more simple ones first. 1) Check your fuses to make sure your radiator fuse isn't blown. (check your manual to see where this would be -usually it's under the hood but sometimes it's in the dash to the left bottom of your steering wheel) 2) try turning your a/c on and seeing if both radiator fans turn on (they should both turn on immediately when the a/c is on). 3) flush your radiator 4) It could be your thermostat (if 1,2,3 dont help you find the prob and you dont know much about cars then take it to a mechanic to have that checked) As for 'how to check for leaking coolant' when it is overheating pull over and look under your car if you see lots of water or usually green liquid coming out then you are leaking coolant. You can 'top your coolant off' by taking the cap off the radiator (ONLY WHILE YOUR CAR IS COOL!!! NEVER TAKE THE RADIATOR CAP OFF A HOT CAR! IT CAN SPIT HOT WATER/STEAM OUT AND BURN YOU VERY BADLY) and add water. Then look for what is usually a clear/white plastic container under your hood that reads 'coolant' that's where you add the coolant :) there will be a full or max line on the side of the container just fill it up to there. Oh and if you do see water leaking check to see where it is coming from. If it's not alot then there is a chance that is just normal condensation which will just be water (it will not be colored). Also if coolant/water is leaking but it is overflowing from a tube coming from the plastic coolant container then that is not a leak as much as your cars water/coolant is so hot (from overheating which is not normal and needs to be fixed but it is not a leak either. In most cars this is due to a bad fuse or thermostat) that the coolant container (which is your radiators overflow reserve) is too full. Normally when everything is working right and your engine gets hot the water/coolant cooling your engine expands in your radiator and the expanding water then goes from a tube into your coolant container. This is a closed system which means later when your car cools down and the water in your radiator contracts then it will suck that overflow in the coolant container back into the radiator. 5) It could also be that your water pump is bad. ***PLEASE NOTE*** If you do not get this overheating problem fixed very soon then you WILL blow some gaskets or warp your aluminum head and a small problem will turn into a HUGE problem very fast! Also check your oil if it is white or a milky color instead of the usual dark brown/black color then it is already too late and your head is blown. A little tip: if your car is overheating turn your heater on even if it's 100 degrees out (roll your winows down) This should help with your overheating somewhat and perhaps help save your engine in the process if for any reason you can't pull over (ie. thick traffic on the highway). Whatever it is to be honest if you dont even know how to add coolant to your car this is not a problem to try to figure out on your own as letting it overheat can cost you your car. Take it to a mechanic and while your at it go ahead and ask them to show you how to add/change your fluids. Good luck! -I'm a typical woman too :) ***EDIT*** No problem I hope it helps! If you can email me and let me know what ends up happening. I would be interested to see what the problem ends up being. If you have any other general Q's about cars dont be afraid to ask me. I'm always more than happy to help when I can.

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