Freelander 1 - Red engine management light

Before I take my Freelander 1 2.0Di down to the garage to plug into their diags machine, I would appreciate some pointers on an issue with the red engine management light that has started coming on the dash over the past few days

Light comes on after about 10mins from a cold (eg overnight) start but sooner if engine is warm. Car then becomes VERY sluggish, jerky to drive at low speeds and higher revving at idle (>1000rpm). Its also more difficult to start again if ignition is switched off.

Fact light takes its time to come on makes me think it is temperature related although temp gauge remains at normal half-way point and I'm not losing any coolant (top hose and intercooler-to-inlet manifold hose were replaced a few months ago, as was coolant temperature sensor). The top hose and expansion bottle are also very hot, almost untouchable when I've lifted the bonnet.

Any ideas appreciated.

Jonathan

Is your radiator hot all over ?
Why was the coolant sensor changed ?

The radiator is hot but I don't think quite as hot as the hoses and expansion bottle.

I changed the coolant temp sensor the other day in the vain hope it may have been the problem (previous searches on here and other forums had pointed to it as a potential issue and for sake of £11 from GSF I thought it worth a go!)

It sounds as though your coolant system is building up pressure...

Did you bleed it properly ?

Although temp gauge shows normal, is thermostat faulty or perhaps the impeller is loose on water pump

Dippypud said:

It sounds as though your coolant system is building up pressure...

Did you bleed it properly ?

Click to expand...

I didn't bleed it after replacing CTS but problem was existing then - I would have expected garage to have done so when they replaced my hoses as they are a reliable lot. However, I will bleed it this morning.

Ran engine for about 20mins with expansion cap off - red light came on after about 15mins. Hoses getting hot as per before and steam coming from expansion bottle by end. Temp gauge gradually rose but settled just before half-way.

What I did notice was that cooling fans never kicked in at all - I would have expected this after 20mins running on a warmish morning?