Peugeot 306 overheating

[Noseyparker]

I am having intermittent problem with my Peugeot.

A few times it has not started - completely dead as though it has a flat battery- then it starts perfectly on about third attempt.

Then I had same problem but when it started it had fumes coming out of exhaust.

Another time it started perfectly but five minutes into journey car started seriously overheating. I stopped let engine cooled down, checked water it was fine but topped up anyway.

Started driving again, around to my parent's house (5 mins) started to overheat again.

Left it for an hour, decided to try to get it around to my service garage,..The car was a perect drive for the whole of the fifteen minute drive.

It is going to be several days before my car can be looked at I was wondering if anyone had any ideas.

There is no sign of any leakages and no water in oil.

Thanks in anticipation.

[Andyvon]

The overheating sounds like a defective thermostat. When they fail they generally seize shut and stop the water circulating in the cooling system when the engine warms up. The engine then overheats rapidly and then stops until it cools down again. It won't do your cylinder head much good if it is overheating frequently. Thermostats are cheap (£4-5) and easy to change. The poor starting sounds like a basic bad contact problem. Check the battery leads, earth contacts and other starter connections are clean and tight. Good luck.