It could be a variety of things, all having to do with the cooling system. Most likely it is a faulty engine fan that is supposed to automatically cut on when your engine hits a certain temp. It could the the fan motor itself, the relay that controls the fan, and maybe just a fuse. If the car does not overheat AT ALL in freeway driving (lots of cool air passing over the engine constantly) and overheats either idling or during city driving that engine fan is to blame.
The radiator cooling fan is most likely not working.
water in the fuel can cause an idling motor to sputter and/or die.
If the coolant is low ( watch for leaks )it will act as you say. Fill it up , leave rad cap off for 5 minutes while idling to bleed air, and try it.
If the electric cooling fan(s) are not coming on that may be the problem.
my 1990 300zx is idling rough what could cause this?
Too high a temperature
sounds like a stuck closed thermostat. ^I agree. Wife and I used to one and that was a reoccuring issue with it.
old fuel filter
Yes, it could.
it is possible for heat from combustion to cause an engine to overheat quickly depending on where the gasket is blown, but i would look for a lack of coolant circulation first. if your coolant is not getting out of the motor and into the radiator it will overheat very quickly.
You need to check your cooling fans and be sure that they come on at 232-235 degrees. They should shut off at 195-200 degrees.
sounds like you could possibly have a bad head gasket. the symptoms are surely all there.