overheating at low speed saga :(

[blue2]

Have you changed the thermostat yet? If not do it. With the front pipes cold this may mean that the engine is running up to temperature but the thermostat is stuck closed thus not allowing hot coolant to circulate around the pipes to the radiator, hence why the pipes are cold.
This is a very cheap fix and the first thing to do and rule out. Get a new one and see if that works, wouldnt suprise me if this was the problem.

[zeronine]

thanks blue2 I'm going to head of to Mr.T can get these bits for the weekend

[blue2]

Cool keep us posted. The cooling systems are a nightmare, great when they work but bloody hard to diagnose a problem!

[zeronine]

Right. It's all done now and has been running perfectly the whole week: fitted new thermostat; rad cap; new radiator; new silicon hoses on the rad; and new temperature fan switch; and filled with Shell coolant.

Fan comes on now when left running. Top result.

Thanks for all the advice.