HELP please

hi having problems with the freelander its a 1.8 massai 2003, its been miss firing for a while but over the last 3-4 days when i start it in the morning it starts first time but then cuts out start it again and all is ok but today driving along doing about 40mph and it just cut out tryed to start it, turns over but would not start left it for a few minutes tryed again started up and all ok drove about 3 miles and cut out again:doh: again left for a few minuets started and of we went, took it to a mates put it on a diagnostics loads of falts crank cam lambda fuel sensers etc cleared all falts started car car ran then cut out:doh: checked falts but nothing showing again left for a few mins and it started car is still missing but was ticking over, as it was getting dark i noticed the manifold was glowing red turned engin off, from the cat back exhaust was cold, from cat forward was sizzling hot any one shed any light on anything? could it be the cat f**cked any help would be appreciated

The pre-cat on the manifold itself should / can glow red hot, its not a massive issue. It is more likely getting hotter than normal though due to your misfire.

The glowing red hot part on the manifold might be signs that its an ignition side fault with your car, as in its not burning all the fuel thats being injected.

I'd start with basics on the car to be honest. Most misfires to the degree you describe are typically caused by breakdown of : coilpack , ht lead , spark plug. All of which are easilly inspected by anyone with an 8mm and spark plug socket. Additionally they are quite common faults on k-series, specially coilpacks shorting out to rocker cover.

Then i'd be definately checking fuel pump for operation if i found all was ok, if it was , maybe a lambda sensor breakdown or some such.

Sensor faults can false flag, if your engine isnt doing what the ECU expects it to. With all the sensor faults you describe, it seems more likely that the engine misfire / stall has caused them rather than them all breaking down at the same time. Though if you want to rule out the common demoninator, you'd have to visually check and test the engine harness. There are definately easier steps to goto first.

Hope that helps.

Sounds like the cat is blocked up , had same prob before with an astra same complaints and it also put back pressure into engine drivng oil out of dipstick . try unbolting exhaust before the cat and see if the engine runs better . If it is the cat you can break out the inside to get you moving till you get a replacement . hope this helps

ok thanks for your replys ive already changed plugs and leads with no difference other thing we couldnt figger out was the exhaust seemed to be free flowing ie fumes were comming out the back also why when it cuts out would it not start for a few minuets?

If indeed it is a blocked pre-cat, or cat. Then of course there is exhaust fumes coming out the back, the issue lies in how long it takes the backpressure to dissipate to the level of which a fully functioning cat would hold. Meaning your engine could breathe properly.

I'd still be tempted by ignition / fueling fault though

I'm that confident i'd even be willing to bet £5 of someone elses money on it !

Vissie said:

If indeed it is a blocked pre-cat, or cat. Then of course there is exhaust fumes coming out the back, the issue lies in how long it takes the backpressure to dissipate to the level of which a fully functioning cat would hold. Meaning your engine could breathe properly.

I'd still be tempted by ignition / fueling fault though

I'm that confident i'd even be willing to bet £5 of someone elses money on it !

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thanks vissie as it happens my fuel pump is very noisey on tick over as if its strugling to suck the fuel do you think this is the pump or could it be filter? thanks again for your reply

ok problem turned out to be hg so getting new head gasket hed skim while its stripped new water pump cambelt thermostat then hopfully all will be well will keep you all updated

There an updated oil rail or something like that too. Someone else will confirm.

Updated headbolts to go with the strengthened ladder rack

Make sure its the modified thermostat also

Make sure its the latest level headgasket (MLS)




Think thats it..

Vissie said:

Updated headbolts to go with the strengthened ladder rack

Make sure its the modified thermostat also

Make sure its the latest level headgasket (MLS)




Think thats it..

Click to expand...

yep all in hand thanks again hope when all this is done and two new tyres(on the back and back ones on the front) i can once again love my fl

hi all just an up date ive now got my fl up and running head off preasure tested ,scimmed, up graded head gasket, new water pump, stat upgrade & new cambelt flushed engine filled with fresh anti freeze runs sweet, cant take all the credit as my mate did it for me all in with parts £280