FIAT PUNTO PROBLEM - Temparature gauge shows RED

[Misssimon]

FIAT PUNTO P REG

A red light on what i think is the temperature gauge suddenly turns RED after driving a short distance. It stays RED and if i continue driving there's a strange noise coming from what sounds like the engine. The car starts smelling of burning and when i'm forced to stop there's smoke coming from the engine.

Please help??

[Sinky83]

sounds like a knackered water pump not a big repair but if u continue to let this happen you run the risk of complete engine failure, best of luck

[david1702198]

the burning smell is the oil baking to death as the engine is overheating, if you keep driving the car you will disentegrate the piston rings to the extent that there will be no compresssion and the engine s h a g g e d altogether, why have you kept driving the car when th temp gauge is clearly indicating that it is overheating?

[gaz1250]

Does the fan kick in? IF not could be fan switch

[Misssimon]

Thanks guys. The fan blows cold air. I have since stopped driving the car.