Overheating and (a lot) of white smoke...

[GrimeyGerry]

Please can anyone help before I take a trip to a garage tomorrow?!

I've got a 1.9 diesel (1990) and it's been reading a bit warm on the gauge for the last few weeks - this never used to happen (I've had him for a year now - yes, pretty new to me!) and so I got it checked but was told it was likely the sensor as the coolant level was fine etc.

Hmmmmm.

I've just had to push it onto the drive after driving about a mile with nasty white smoke pouring out the back and the gauge at max (and light flashing aplenty). I put on the heater and it's just blasting out cold air even though engine is defo warm so I'm assuming that's connected? Is it nasty - is it what I think it is??!

[CovKid]

Sounds like the water isn't being pumped round or its incredibly low. Water pump gone? Whip the belt off and wiggle the waterpump pulley.

[Jetfitzmaurice]

White smoke could be pump timing too