Technical Help!

[j a y]

I've recently got my Marea back after a 2 month holiday to the garage after the head gasket went (yes folks, 2 months) . 2 weeks after getting it back and all seemed well, but, last week it started cutting out on me while driving - specifically when slowing down a few times the power steering dies and the engine.
Today the engine cut out, managed to get it started again, got a few hundred yards and the engine went again, this time overheating. I've topped up the water and oil.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I really don't fancy another stint in the garage. Someone has said it could be a sensor that is causing the engine to cut out, but with this new problem of overheating, I'm not so sure. Help...

 

[j a y]

Update... seems that the engine overheating was due to an airlock which has now been sorted. Still need to address the problem of engine cutting out though.

 

[CLOBAK]

Engine type ? petrol ? Diesel? Description of car may help others help you

 

[j a y]

Sorry, that would help. 1.6 petrol saloon.

It seems the overheating problem has returned :-(

 

[Venters]

Thermostat?

 

[multispoke]

Hi Jay. I had an issue with my 2 cars - the Marea and a 323i overheating in Dec 2009 - all at the same time !
The Marea issue was to do with a Map sensor. Mechanic knew someone in Fiat and it cost me €150 in total to get it put right. Not a problem ever since - TG. I was very careful that when the car started to overhead I stopped and let it cool down so there was no damage.
The 323i - this had a partially blown gasket from not having changed the coolant so the antifreeze became acidic and eat the gasket (the car had been lying for a while not being used - I needed an estate - hence the Marea). The life on the engine was 'lenghted' by using Wonderweld.
A lot of cars are run on Wonderweld but they eventually 'mess up' the engine. You cannot add anti-freeze/coolant to the mix because it breaks down the seal created by wonderweld. So it is no good for winter use !
Airlocks are common in cars with blown gaskets. A lot of petrol heads live with this problem on old engines and before starting off in their cars in the morning check the level of water in their radiators to prevent an overheating problem. THey often let them run with the rad cap off so that any air escapes. Once the car is warmed up they put the rad cap back on.
I can relate to your situation. Appreciate if you would come back to me on the eventual outcome.
My 323i was eventually sold cheap to guy whose brother was a mechanic and the Marea was kept.