Fan belt problem? Help...
 

13 yr old boxster lux. Just passed MOT but noise at back high pitched whirring sound that deepens with slowing down. Now I have a flashing red warning light on temp which is reading 80. Engine seems a bit hot and lumpy. I need to get it to a mechanic which is an hours drive. Should I call the AA to tow ? Will I damage the engine? Is it the fan belt ? Pashe.

there is no fan belt. if your car is over heating, don't drive it - especially an hour's drive.

Sounds like your water pump has quit. Do not drive it. Get it towed.

Belts
 

Is there a drive belt? No engine knowledge here but the sound changes with revs...

What do you think of the water pump failure idea?

I'll get it towed but would rather have an idea of what the prob is so Im not ripped off by mechanic ...

no drive belt. there are several chains. if the chain were broken (unlikely) it wouldn't even start, let alone overheat.

some causes of overheating include:
- low coolant level (the red light on the temp gauge blinks)
- air in the system.
- bad coolant cap
- cracked coolant tank (look under the carpet in the trunk for puddles)
- bad water pump (probable since you mention the noise...)
- cracked head / gasket problems...

how many miles? have you ever had the pump or the coolant tank replaced? they generally tend to go before 100k miles.

Thanks
 

Done 63000 miles. Don't know the history as I've only had the car for a year. I'll get it into a mechanic ASAP. Thanks for helping !
Pashe uk.