rising temp gauge in traffic

[280_sport]

I have a 96 C280, whilst in traffic the other week stuck in traffic for 10 - 15 mins in outside temps of around 25c the temp gauge rocketed. End result was it hit the red, I straight away hit the heaters to full a wee puff of smoke/steam came out the vents in the interior and it dropped straight back down to about the 90-100 mark. The car has driven fine ever since. Anyone got any ideas I will be travelling a fair few miles in the next coming months and am panicking incase it does it again. I'm pretty sure the cooling fan is engaging also. I was thinking thermostat?

Cheers

 

[C220GJS]

If it was your thermostat that was sticking shut it would overheat all the time ,not just in traffic. I would allow the engine to heat up while stationary and check at what temp. the fan actually cuts in , I think it is 95-100c .
Geo.

 

[turnipsock]

When stuck in traffic, are you doing short bursts and sitting really close to the vehicle in front? This can have an effect on the cooling. Did you have the A/C on?

It sounds like the fan though. At least you did the right thing and turn on the heater...and avoided any further problems.

How sure are you about the fan?