Overheating in an instant

[Phil303]

What would cause the temperature to suddenly jump to the max level (120) in less than 2 miles of driving from a warm (not hot) start?

The car had been sat for an hour after a slow run through town of about a mile.

Shortly after setting off the temp warning graphic popped up on the dash and the temp needle was well over to the right. We stopped and gurgling could be heard from the tank.

We let it cool down a bit and set off again - 3 miles later same happened. did this 2 more times, each time limping a little closer to home (still had 55 miles to go though).

Eventually we stopped for good and saw that the tank was now down to below minimum and some had escaped through the cap as the right hand side of the engine bay was wet. My mate said don't drive any further to save the head gasket.

Standing at the front of the car looking back at it, the right hand fan was going mental but the right one was doing nothing. Is that right? Then after a restart both worked in unison for bit.

Someone's girlfriend came out to pick the others up and bring some bottles of water. After topping up the needle stayed at 90 for a few minutes while idling and not driving, so I thought we were okay but then it started to rise.

The AA had been called at this point and were sending a flatbed to pick me up and get me home.

All this was taking place in the middle of nowhere at 2.00am

I made it home at 4am this morning and before I call the garage tomorrow I was hoping to give them some pointers. The water pump and belts were changed (by the same garage) less than a year ago. Could it be a knackered thermostat or temp sensor of some kind?

And what's with the fans? One has a motor, the other doesn't. Should it?

Any and all advice gratefully received.

Yours very tiredly, Phil