My 1993 240 wagon has a seemingly common problem. The engine temperature seems to run fine going down the road, but as soon as I get stuck in traffic, the needle begins to rise. Although I have never let it actually go into the red, I'm sure it has just about touched the line, and I am confident it would keep rising to the damage point if I didn't blast the heat and the fan. I commute on I-95 to DC from Fredericksburg, so this obviously won't work (don't believe me? check out http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=370 some time around 4:30 est!)

I took it to the shop yesterday and they replaced the thermostat, the water pump, and all the belts (it was time anyhow). The mechanic said he test drove it and couldn't make it overheat... After I picked it up, I had the needle rising high in about ten minutes (one stop at the Taco Bell drive thru was all it took).

I was hoping my wife could take this car to NY this weekend with the kids, so I am calling the shop back in an hour, when they open. Any idea where to go next with this?

Appreciate your help!