I was driving I’d say about 10 minutes before going to the shop, came back out and started driving to notice about 30 seconds later that my engine temp was 3/4 the way up and I’ve only ever seen it about 1/4 the way up. I pull in and the engine seems completely fine and there’s no obvious issue, so I drive another 2 minutes and the engine temp is going crazy. One second it’s fine the next it’s literally past the red line. I stopped 2 times on the way home and still my engine doesn’t feel over temperature at all. Once I get home I look again but this time I noticed a bit of a burning smell which is making me think that it might not just be an odometer issue. Any help is greatly appreciated.

its a 2005 ep2 d16v1

 

Sounds to me like a failing thermostat.