scotty73 wrote:Sorry to dredge up an old thread here but last Friday for the first time since i started this thread it happened while the mrs was stuck in traffic and it was a hot day.
Very much sounds like you're actually overheating.
If you've got access to PP2000, test the radiator fan.
If not, being very careful, remove the plug to each CTS with the ignition on. You'll end up with stored faults, but they won't need clearing. After you unplug one of them, the fan should spin up to full speed. It will be loud.
If the fan works, then either the thermostat's stuck closed, or it's a CTS. You can check the stat by getting the temperature up to about 75c then holding onto the top radiator pipe. When the coolant hits 84c, the pipe should get hot quickly.
Check the radiator fan fuses first though because it's easy. There's probably two(?) massive fuses in the small fusebox to the side of the battery. Haynes may help figuring out which one's which here...
<steve_earwig> I think this forum is more about keeping our cars going with minimal outlay than giving our cars more reason to go bang