Overheating,I know common enough lol

[Carmenxx]

Hello there.
My lovely 98 fiat punto is overheating.I do realise that this can be a common problem but it seems to be a little different to the threads I have read.
I have had the spark plug sockets measured and all seems to be ok with the head gasket. The problem i have is idling at the traffic lights, the fan dosen't come on, overheating it. The needle rises very quickly followed by a horrid burning smell, The needle only goes half way while i'm going along the road.
I regularly have to bleed the radiator as air keeps getting into the system. The heater works just fine.
I am very worried my little car actually does have a head gasket problem because i would never be able to afford the prices the garages want to charge to fix it.
Is it worth getting a new thermostat and having it changed to see if it's that? Why would air be getting into the radiator though? I do have a hayes manual but feel a little nervous about, "cocking it up", quite frankly. Iv'e already forked out for a new exhaust and new tyres so would like to find the cheapest option
Thank you for your time
Carmen xx

 

[mistermarcus]

hi there, silly thing to say but do you have the heaters on hot and full in the car??
if you suspect the headgasket, keep an eye on the oil for a mayo coloured substance, oil mixed with coolant or if it smells when you turns you blowers on warm
I had a mk1 with simalar problems, turned out it was the HG, had it fixed n it still overheated the garage didnt bleed the system properly and there was a air lock
not sure if there is a bleed point behind the engine or to the side, haynes should know
hope this helps