Overheating 1.8

hello again,lately our 02 plate 1.8 freelander has been overheating very quickly .Always occurs when sitting in a traffic for about 10 mins .temp gauge hits the top.As soon as you move the gauge drops back down to 1/2 way.
Is this normal ? When i look at other drivers they dont seem to be panicking.
Now the embarrassing bit....

Took it up Hard Knott pass in the Lakes (like you do in a overheating Freelander) and 20 foot from top steam exploded from from under bonnet.Breakdown guy arrived 1 hour later and topped it up said it was an airlock.
Drove around in it for rest of weekend then home 200 miles and all this week.doesnt seem to have lost any coolant

Id noticed expansion tank had small lines near cap and there is a hissing noise when hot.Got myself a new tank & cap to fit.
before i drain the system could there be a thermostat problem or anything else worth changing while im at it .
had HGF six months ago hope it hasn't gone again

Any thoughts from anyone else stuck with a car no garage wants in part ex!

change the tank and cap - check VERY regularly - yu mite just have been lucky.

if yu want to spend more money - consider the remote thermostat option (do a search - plenty of links)

sounds to me like the fans aint cutting in, a common fault with all freelanders, usually caused by the ECU thats mounted on the fan cowling.

Fit your new cap and tank, run it to operating temp and make sure they cut in, they should also cut in when the air con is on too.

Split tank will cause boiling as there will be no pressure to raise the boiling point of the coolant (engine runs at about 110 degrees)

Cheers guys ,i remember breakdown mechanic said fan was working .Dont know at the right point though.Just reluctant at the moment to split another bottle at £30 a go.

overheating didnt cause the tank to split, split caused the overheating. just fitted a new expantion tank to mine, only cost $20 australian so if your paying 30 pound your getting ripped off.

Just fitted new tank and cap.Tried bleeding system ,bottom bleeds ok but top one spurts every few minutes then nothing.Normal?
Heater on,engine running & warm.got to a point dont want to carry on
Been searching internet for correct way to refiil & bleed through fear of knacking engine now my heads spinning!

Could someone give a step by step way to do this please

I think the proper bleed procedure is in the Rave manual - if yu havent got a copy - there are lots of links on here if yu do a search.

lewis said:

Just fitted new tank and cap.Tried bleeding system ,bottom bleeds ok but top one spurts every few minutes then nothing.Normal?
Heater on,engine running & warm.got to a point dont want to carry on
Been searching internet for correct way to refiil & bleed through fear of knacking engine now my heads spinning!

Could someone give a step by step way to do this please

Click to expand...

Did you release the expansion cap before bleeding, otherwise wou'll get a pressure lock in the system and coolant wont drain properly.

Fitted a new tank to mine last year, old one was split. New un cost £18 from land rover dealer. Then £3 for new lid as it was different.