200 tdi over heating out of ideas!!

Hi there, my 200 tdi 90 is over heating on the gauge after 2 mile drive or if i stop it goes down to just below half gradualy, the top hose is hot bottom is cold near the radiator but hot near water pump, changed thermostat, water pump, flushed the rad so it isnt blocked, and the gauge still climbs to the limit, any ideas would be aprieciated cheers. And it runs fine no change in performace etc.

Do you lose any fluid whilst driving? Just wondering if the header tank or cap are leaking.

air lock in system or ya guage is fooked

First thing I would do would be to change the gauge, but it is an expensive change if it isn't the problem, but then again, neither is an overheated engine

Tim Water Temperature Gauge Capillary - Black Face | eBay

Dad has one of these, way better than the standard one, and they work constantly, and you can check them in kettle water if you want to check it

Also feel your top hose and thermostat housing, if you can't touch them then the engine must be overheating, if you can touch them then it's a faulty gauge

No lost no fluid will bleed it and see cheers

Check rad is hot all over - you can flush out and all look OK, but still be blocked.

rather than repalce the gauge, a cheap IR thermometer will tell you the true engine temp, with enough accuracy for what you need

Non-Contact IR Infrared Digital Thermometer with Laser | eBay