Mitsubishi SUV Range

If the warning is being shown when the engine is first started (and therefore, patently not overheating) the fault is likely to be with an engine sensor that tells the computer the engine temperature. This model is known for this fault.

However, if the engine really is overheating, the possible causes are many and could be a stuck thermostat, a blocked radiator, a leak in the cooling system, a failed EGR valve, a failing water pump, or perhaps even something less obvious like a blown head gasket.

So the first step is to determine whether the engine really is overheating or not and go from there. An experienced mechanic will tackle each possibility in turn, but make sure they’re aware of the sensor problem with this model.

I’d agree that 13.3 litres per 100km is a bit of the high side, but to put it into perspective, you need to forget about the factory claim of 8.0 litres per 100km. That figure is determined by a laboratory test, not real-world driving and rare indeed is the vehicle that can match its test figure with its real-world number.

I would expect a number closer to 11 litres per 100km for this vehicle, but there are a lot of variables at work here. For instance, does the vehicle have a roof rack? Have you fitted a bull-bar? Does the vehicle roll on standard sized wheels and tyres, or are they taller, aftermarket tyres which increase rolling diameter and throw the standard gearing out?

The latter – in particular – can affect fuel consumption in a huge way, as can how you drive the car. High speeds or urban driving will also rapidly increase fuel consumption. If you’re still concerned, have the vehicle tuned to see if that makes a difference.

That’s pretty outrageous fuel consumption and equates to about 30 litres per 100km when 10 to 15 litres per 100km is a more realistic expectation from a vehicle like this. And that points to something seriously wrong with the way the on-bard computer is supplying the fuel to the engine.

You need to start by running some checks including the fuel delivery pressure, as well as the various sensors around the engine that determine the fuel mixture. It could be as simple as a dud engine temperature sensor which is telling the computer the engine is stone cold, even though it’s not. But equally, you could have a problem with an oxygen sensor, a throttle position sensor or even a simple vacuum leak. Even a throttle body that is not adjusted properly or a dirty mass-air-flow sensor can throw things out of kilter and cause over-fuelling.

The danger is that, if you continue to drive the vehicle as it is, you’ll not only go broke putting petrol in it, but you might also damage the engine through the excess fuel causing damage to the cylinder bores.